The face of J&K State is changing, more importantly that of the mountainous border areas in Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu. The Union Ministry of Roads and Surface Transport has a massive plan of road connectivity up its sleeve to provide not only highly strategic links to the border line but also change the economy and life standard of millions of people all along the mountainous borderland in the State. The most outstanding item of envisaged connectivity is of tunnels to tear the breast of mountain that have hitherto remained forbidden to man and animal. This is for the first time in the history of the region and of Jammu and Kashmir that the valley is getting connected with the rest of the country through uninterrupted vehicular traffic round the year. The highlight of this connectivity is the 9.2 kms long Chaneni-Nashri tunnel on NH 1A as part of its four laning, Zojila Tunnel connecting Srinagar with Kargil and Leh, the envisaged 18 kms long Razdhan tunnel connecting Gurez with Kashmir valley round the year, and three more tunnels in Kupwara -Keran sector in Kashmir valley. The Zojila Tunnel estimated to cost over ten thousand crore rupees has already been allotted to a construction company and Razdhan tunnel estimate is just close to that of Zoji La.
Gurez is avery strategic area from security point of view. Pakistani intruders are mostly using this area for sneaking into Indian side. It runs along the LoC in the Kishanganga valley. Therefore from military point of view the 18 kilometers long Razdhan tunnel will be the longest tunnel in the country of immense strategic importance. When these road networks are completed, India’s northern borders will get secured maximally and movement of men and material to even the farthest points in the frontier will become easy and a reality. The very face of the state is changing.
Follow our WhatsApp channel