‘Govt committed to development of Ladakh’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra said today that all efforts should be made to complete Zojila tunnel within the timeline even as he maintained that Ladakh has undergone massive development after becoming a Union Territory.
He was speaking on sidelines of International Yoga Day function in Kargil this morning.
Mishra, who is in Kargil for last three days, said Ladakh has witnessed massive development after abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A and bifurcation of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs of J&K and Ladakh by the Central Government.
“Work is going on at Zojila tunnel, New Airport and Government Medical College have been approved. Various other development projects and schemes are on. There is all-round development in Leh and Kargil districts which form the Union Territory,” Mishra said.
Asserting that the Congress and other political parties did nothing for the last 67 years, the Union Minister of State for Home said Narendra Modi Government has done lot of development in the country during last eight years.
He said the Government is committed to develop the Union Territory of Ladakh further. Results of development are visible in the UT, he added.
Responding to a question on protests by the youth in various States over Agnipath scheme, Mishra said the new scheme will make the Army young.
Later, Mishra visited Eastern Portal of Zojila tunnel to review progress of the work.
He was accompanied by Incharge Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Drass, officers and officials of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
Underlining the importance of the Zojila tunnel as a lifeline to the people of Ladakh, especially during the winter months, the MoS Home urged the concerned agency to accelerate the pace of work so that the targets are achieved in the specified timelines.
While reviewing the pace and progress of the under-construction tunnel, Mishra expressed satisfaction after being briefed about the work progress achieved so far.
The officers and officials of NHIDCL assured the Minister that all efforts are being made to complete the project within the stipulated time frame.
They appraised the Union MoS Home about the present status of ongoing works and the progress achieved so far since the start of work in December 2020.
The 14-kilometre long road tunnel under Zojila pass between Sonamarg and Drass is under construction after the commencement of work in 2018.
Zojila Tunnel project will make the travel on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of National Highway-1 free from avalanches, would enhance safety and reduce the travel time from more than 3 hours to 15 minutes.
Pertinently, once completed, the Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, which is part of a mega road communication project to ensure undisrupted connectivity between the two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Kashmir, which is otherwise hampered during winters as the Zojila pass is covered in snow and avalanches.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
