SONAMARG (JK) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he will keep the
promises he made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and right things will
happen at the right time.
In this image released by PMO on Jan. 13, 2025, people
attend a public meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at Sonamarg, in
Ganderbal district, J&K. (PMO via PTI Photo)
Modi was addressing a public meeting after inaugurating
the strategically important Z-Morh tunnel here. His remarks shortly came after
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought restoration of statehood to Jammu and
Kashmir during his speech at the event.
"You have to believe that this is Modi and he keeps
his promises. There is a right time for everything and right things will happen
at the right time," Modi said without mentioning the demand for restoration
of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.
The prime minister further said that Jammu and Kashmir is
the crown of the country and he wants it to be beautiful and prosperous.
"There is an atmosphere of peace in Jammu and
Kashmir and we have seen its effect on tourism. Kashmir is writing a new saga
of development today," he said.
He said the Kashmir valley will soon be connected by
train and there is enthusiasm among people about it.
Modi also paid tributes to the seven people who were
killed in a terror attack near the Z-Morh tunnel here in October last year.
After inaugurating the Rs 2,700 crore project, the prime
minister went inside the tunnel and interacted with the project officials. He
also met the construction workers who worked meticulously amid harsh conditions
to complete the tunnel.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Abdullah were also present
at the inauguration.
This is Modi's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the
assembly elections in September-October last year.
The 6.5-km-long two-lane bi-directional road tunnel
between Gagangir and Sonamarg in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district is
equipped with a parallel 7.5-metre 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 routes prone to landslides and avalanches.
It will also promote tourism by ensuring year-round
connectivity to Sonamarg.
