Tunnel breakthrough historic milestone
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, June 9: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today termed the breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel a historic milestone in ensuring all-weather connectivity to Ladakh, saying the project would significantly boost development, tourism, trade and national security in the region.
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Sinha joined Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at the breakthrough ceremony of the strategically important tunnel and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Minister for turning the long-envisioned project into reality.
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Addressing a press conference at the Eastern Portal of the Zojila Tunnel, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the people of J&K and Ladakh on the achievement and lauded the engineers and workers involved in the project for accomplishing the challenging task under difficult weather and terrain conditions.
“This is a historic day. A major milestone has been achieved in ensuring all-weather connectivity for the people of Ladakh,” Sinha said.
Describing the tunnel as a transformative project, he said it would usher in a new era of connectivity and development for J&K and Ladakh.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the relentless efforts of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the Zojila Tunnel will emerge as a lifeline for the region, strengthening supply chains, boosting tourism and providing vital strategic support to our Armed Forces,” he said.
Sinha noted that the tunnel, regarded as Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, was scripting a new future of year-round connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
He said the project would significantly reduce travel time, ensure safer travel and result in substantial fuel savings.
He said connectivity acts as a catalyst for development and economic prosperity, adding that the Government of India has made substantial investments in infrastructure, particularly in border areas, over the past 12 years.
“Connectivity in border areas has remained a key focus over the last 12 years. A great deal of work has been undertaken in this sector across the country,” he said.
Sinha said there had been significant improvements in road, air and rail connectivity across J&K and Ladakh, and that the ongoing infrastructure projects would further strengthen tourism, trade and economic activity while enhancing national security.
“Given the scale of ongoing projects in J&K and Ladakh, I am confident that these will not only boost trade and tourism but also significantly strengthen national security, especially in border areas,” he said.
Sinha, along with Gadkari, inspected the tunnel and expressed appreciation for the engineers, personnel and workforce who worked round the clock under extremely challenging weather conditions at high altitude to make the breakthrough possible.
He also commended the engineers and labourers working on the tunnel project in adverse weather and difficult terrain, saying their contribution deserved special recognition.
Expressing confidence about the project’s timely completion, Sinha said he hoped the tunnel would be completed at the earliest and dedicated to the people of J&K and Ladakh.
Referring to the upcoming annual pilgrimage, he said the Shri Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 3, would also benefit from improved road infrastructure and enhanced mobility in the region.
Sinha said the completion of the infrastructural marvel would provide immense convenience to devotees of Shri Amarnath Ji visiting J&K from across the country.
“As Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, I once again extend my gratitude and congratulations for this achievement,” he said.
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