Omar Abdullah Hails PM Modi as Z-Morh Tunnel Opens in J&K
SUHAIL KHAN
Sonamarg, Jan 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “keeping his word” and ensuring the timely conduct of elections in the region.
During the inauguration of the strategically important Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district, Omar Abdullah, as reported by Kashmir Despatch, lauded PM Modi’s presence.
He began his speech by paying tribute to seven individuals, including a local doctor, who lost their lives in a terrorist attack on tunnel construction workers last year. He stated that they sacrificed their lives for the development of the country and Jammu and Kashmir.
“These individuals sacrificed their lives for this project and the progress of the nation. Over the past 35 years, many people in Jammu and Kashmir have laid down their lives for the development of this country. My party has also made significant sacrifices for the nation’s progress,” he said.
Omar praised the Prime Minister for delivering on two of the three commitments he made during a speech in Srinagar last year.
“Out of the three promises you made, the ‘Delhi ki Doori’ has been bridged,” he noted. He added that PM Modi is working on eliminating “Dil ki Doori” (difference of hearts) and “Delhi ki Doori” (distance from Delhi), and this is truly demonstrated by his efforts.
Regarding the smooth conduct of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah thanked PM Modi and remarked, “Elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most significant thing was that there were no complaints of irregularities anywhere nor any accusations of misuse of power. The credit for this goes to you (PM Modi), your colleagues, and the Election Commission of India. My heart says that very soon you (PM Modi) will fulfill your promise of restoring statehood.”
Omar addressed PM Modi directly, saying, “People often ask me about it, and my heart believes that you will fulfill this promise soon.” He added, “Today, on this occasion, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming here in this cold weather. You have a very old relationship with Jammu and Kashmir, and we hope that you will come here again and again, stay among us, and share in our happiness.”
Omar Abdullah also emphasized the symbolic significance of the Prime Minister’s presence at the event. “Your presence here sends a strong message to those who do not want Jammu and Kashmir to prosper. Such elements will not succeed and will face defeat,” he declared.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been waiting for this tunnel for a very long time. This tunnel will eliminate the need for people to travel to the lower regions. We will be able to develop Sonamarg as a tourist destination, and this tunnel will also facilitate speedy progress on the under-construction Zojila tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh,” he explained.
He thanked Prime Minister Modi for visiting Kashmir during the cold weather, adding, “We hope that you will come again and again, and join in our happiness.”
The two-lane, bi-directional road tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. It is equipped with a parallel 7.5-metre-wide escape passage for emergencies.
Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, the tunnel will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg en route to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche-prone areas.
