Sonamarg comes to life in subzero temps
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Jan 12 : A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir for the inauguration of the strategic Z-Morh tunnel, security forces today intensified sanitization and area domination across the Valley and made Sonamarg out of bounds for people.
The deployment of security personnel has been increased in the vulnerable areas and dozens of checkpoints have been set up at important intersections in various districts to ensure that anti-national elements are not able to move around freely.
Random checking and frisking of people and vehicles, including two-wheelers, has been intensified while patrolling is also taking place.
Security has been tightened near the Z-Morh tunnel. Multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place and the PM’s security team, comprising the SPG personnel, has taken over the venue.
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The CRPF and Police sealed the entire route from Srinagar to Sonamarg and there are multiple checkpoints enroute. No vehicle is allowed towards Sonamarg and those with security passes are being frisked and vehicles thoroughly checked.
The Z-Morh tunnel and Sonmarg tourist resort has been decorated by the administration and the tourist place where night temperatures remain mostly below minus 10 degree Celsius these days gives a festive look.
PM Modi is inaugurating the Z-Morh tunnel at around 11:45 am tomorrow for which preparations are being given final shape at Shutkadi near Sonamarg tourist resort. The function will be held in presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Jairam Gadkari; Union MoS for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh; Union MoS for Road Transport and Highways, Ajay Tamta; Lt Governor Manoj Sinha; Chief Minister Omar Abdullah; Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary; Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma; Member Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and MP Ghulam Ali.
The PM will visit the tunnel which will be followed by its inauguration and will also address the gathering on the occasion. He also meet the construction workers who have worked meticulously in the harshest conditions, acknowledging their contribution to this engineering feat.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha is also addressing the function and he will highlight the developmental activities that have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years and also describe the significance of the Z-Morh tunnel.
In the meantime, while speaking to reporters, Omar described the inauguration of the tunnel as long-awaited, noting that it would enable people living on the other side of the tunnel to stay there year-round and boost tourism.
“It (the tunnel) will benefit people and other sectors, especially tourism. Those living on the other side of Z-Morh, who previously had to leave during winters, will now be able to stay there throughout the year,” he said.
Omar noted that Sonamarg, which was previously open for tourism only in the summer, “will now remain open throughout the year.”
He said that with the tunnel’s inauguration, the Government would work towards developing Sonamarg as a winter sports destination, like Gulmarg.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister stated that a major benefit of the tunnel’s opening would be the reduced distance between Srinagar and Leh. “And when the Zojila tunnel is completed, reaching Ladakh will become even easier.”