PM Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir comes weeks ahead of the bypolls in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated India's longest road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, making it operational for traffic. He addressed a public rally at Battal Ballian in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district. The tunnel, which runs between Chenani and Nashri, will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crore a year. This is India's first and the world's sixth tunnel to have transverse ventilation system, providing fresh air to passengers. The tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs 2,519 crore, will ensure a safe and swift passage for commuters, even in adverse weather conditions. The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is among the longest highway tunnels in Asia. The tunnel, at an altitude of 1,200 meters, is a part of National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI's) project between Jammu and Srinagar, along the National Highway 44. Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti received and accompanied the Prime Minister to Udhampur.
Here are the highlights from PM Narendra Modi's speech:- Nitin Gadkari told me this tunnel was built on global standards. On some measures, we are even ahead of the world
- This tunnel will be discussed in India, but all climate activists in the world, who worry about the environment, will see hope in this
- We have worked to safeguard the Himayalas, the environment
- 2,500 youth of Jammu and Kashmir have toiled hard to make this tunnel a reality
- This tunnel will change the fortunes of the Valley's farmers. Their produce will not rot due to road closures
- On one side there is tourism, on the other there is terrorism. It has been 40 years, lots of innocents lost their lives no one has gained anything
- So many mothers of Kashmir have lost their sons. In 40 years, this bloodshed hasn't helped anyone.
- If tourism had been promoted in these 40 years, the world would have been at Kashmir's feet
- Every Indian has a dream to visit Kashmir once as a tourist. This will boost tourism - the more the tourists, the better it will for be the economy.
- Entire country is with Jammu and Kashmir if tourism is the focus.