Beginning his 1-day long visit to Jammu & Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived today in Leh town of Ladakh region. Here he was received by Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti alongside senior civil and military officials. During the visit, PM Modi is scheduled to launch India’s longest road tunnel in Zojila and several other projects.
I thank the wonderful people of Leh for the warm welcome. I am delighted to be here. pic.twitter.com/XmogPkc64v
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2018
The 14-km long Zojila tunnel is built on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. Apart from being India’s longest road tunnel, it is also going to be Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. The purpose is to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil, and Leh. Besides, it will also reduce the travel time from 3.5 hours to just 15 minutes.
Moreover, the tunnel also holds a great strategic importance as it is located on the Srinagar-Leh section of NH-1A. The total cost of the project is said to be around INR 6,800 Crores.
I am happy that today, I am visiting 3 regions of Jammu and Kashmir. After my visit to Leh, I will be going to Srinagar and there after to Jammu: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 19, 2018
Apart from the Zojila tunnel, the Prime Minister is also going to lay the foundation stone for other projects. These include the Srinagar Ring Road and Jammu Ring Road that will be inaugurated at separate events at SKICC, Srinagar and at General Zorawar Singh Stadium, respectively.
Other programs in PM’s schedule include the closing ceremony of birth centenary celebration of 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche and the inauguration of 330-MW Kishanganga Hydropower Station in Srinagar.
Jammu and Kashmir is going to get development projects worth Rs. 25,000 crore. These projects will have a positive impact on the people of the state: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 19, 2018
The Centre recently decided to halt operations during Ramzan as a gesture of peace which is being regarded as a humanitarian approach towards Kashmiris. However, the separatists are not only opposing this move but they have also called protests against PM’s Srinagar visit.
Considering the situation, the security has been strengthened, schools have been closed and internet services have been suspended to prevent any mishap. The authorities have put three-tier security in place and all routes to Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar have been sealed.
