NewsGate Press Network

On his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday the April 24th 2022 after it was converted into a Union Territory, the prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated quite a few landmark projects including a tunnel and laying foundation stone of a vital expressway.

The bottom line of his speeches was  – “democracy is thriving in the Union Territory (of J&K) at the grassroot level… and Central government schemes are being rapidly implemented.”

In all projects worth Rs 20,000 crores were inaugurated related to connectivity and power sector.

He inaugurated the Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel, built at a cost of over Rs 3,100 crore.

The 8.45 Km long tunnel would reduce the road distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 16 km, and reduce journey time by around one and a half hours.

The tunnel would help establish an all weather connection between Jammu and Kashmir, and bring the two regions closer.

The Prime Minister said the government is working towards connecting Jammu and Kashmir with other parts of India throughout the year.

The day is not far away when the Devi of Kanyakumari will meet Vaishno Devi with a single road, he added. Modi also said tourism now is thriving in Jammu and Kashmir.

Among the basket full of projects that were inaugurated for Jammu and Kashmir included laying of foundation stone of the 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project to be constructed on Chenab river in Kishtwar District at a cost of around Rs 5300 crore; the foundation stone of the Kwar Hydroelectric project.

He also laid the foundation stone of three road packages of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, being built at a cost of over Rs 7500 crore.

He inaugurated the Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel, built at a cost of over Rs 3,100 crore. The 8.45 Km long tunnel would reduce the road distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 16 km, and reduce journey time by around one and a half hours.

The tunnel would help establish an all weather connection between Jammu and Kashmir, and bring the two regions closer.