PM Modi Concludes His Daylong Visit in J&K, Returns to Delhi
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Srinagar, Jan 13 (NationPress) After a full day of activities, during which he inaugurated the Sonamarg tunnel and addressed a large public rally in J&K, Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for New Delhi on Monday.
The PM arrived in the morning and was transported to the Neelgrad helipad located in the Sonamarg area of the Ganderbal district. From there, he proceeded in a convoy to the Gagangir area to inaugurate the Sonamarg tunnel and inspect its progress. Although the sun was shining brightly in Gagangir, the temperature at the tunnel site was well below freezing, with a chilly wind blowing from the mountainous terrain nearby.
During his visit, PM Modi captured photos with the engineers and workers from APCO Infratech Private Limited, who played a significant role in the tunnel's construction. He also engaged with officials from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
Constructed at a cost of Rs 2700 crore, the Sonamarg tunnel is set to transform Sonamarg into an all-weather tourist hotspot. Following the completion of the Zojila tunnel in 2026, this tunnel will guarantee year-round connectivity to the Ladakh region. The PM acknowledged the sacrifices made by civilian workers who gave their lives in service to the nation.
He commended the determination of other workers and engineers who chose to remain on site despite the Gagangir terrorist attack on October 20, 2024.
PM Modi emphasized that Kashmir is the crown of India and expressed his desire for this crown to shine even brighter, stating that all obstacles to Kashmir's progress would be eliminated by the government. He credited the current peace in Kashmir to the support of its people.
"More than 2 crore visitors came to J&K in 2024, and even now, tourists are in Sonamarg enjoying the warm hospitality of the locals," he remarked. In response to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's earnest request for the restoration of statehood to J&K, the PM assured, "Modi fulfills all promises made by him. However, the timing of such decisions is crucial."
A significant crowd braved the cold to attend the PM's public rally, with a palpable sense of enthusiasm and joy among the attendees, most of whom were from the Ganderbal district and stood to benefit directly from the Sonamarg tunnel's inauguration.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also spoke at the rally, highlighting that the PM's vision of bridging the gap between the heart and the capital is being realized through enhanced connectivity and extensive infrastructure development in J&K. He noted that soon, the journey from Delhi to Srinagar would take just 7 to 8 hours.
PM Modi departed Sonamarg via an Air Force helicopter, landing at the technical section of Srinagar airport. A special aircraft then transported the PM back to Delhi later on Monday afternoon.
