Tourexpi
Indian Premier Modi opens key tunnel in Kashmir to boost tourism
Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday opened a key strategic Z-Morh tunnel in
disputed Jammu and Kashmir, which is likely to boost tourism and defense access
in the region.
The
6.5-kilometer (4.03-mile) long bi-directional tunnel worth $20.7 billion, will
provide all-weather connectivity to the tourist resort of Sonamarg, known as
golden meadow, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district but will also connect
Kashmir and Ladakh region throughout the year providing strategic military
access.
The
strategic tunnel is seen as an important infrastructure project which is
expected to boost defense movement to Ladakh region, which borders China.
This
was Modi’s first visit to the region after local elections were held in Jammu
and Kashmir last year which elected National Conference party’s Omar Abdullah
as the regional chief minister with limited powers.
In
August 2019, the Modi government downgraded and divided the disputed Jammu and
Kashmir region in two federally administered Union Territories of Jammu and
Kashmir and Ladakh.
India
and China were locked in a border dispute in Ladakh since May 2020 which was
resolved last year.
Abdullah,
the chief minister, who attended the inauguration, pitched for early
restoration of statehood to the region.
Modi
had already “fulfilled” two promises, and now remains the third, he said,
referring to restoring Jammu and Kashmir a full-fledged state from the status
of Union Territory.
In
his response, the Indian prime minister said he would do “everything possible
for the people of Jammu and Kashmir region.”
“Right
things will come at right time,” he said, without directly specifying
Abdullah’s demand.
Border
situation with China ‘stable,’ says Indian military chief
Indian
Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, in a separate statement from New Delhi, said
the troop deployment among China border is “directly dependent on trust
factor.”
“At
least in the winter strategy, we are not looking forward to any reduction of
troops. When it comes to the summer strategy, we'll take a review based on that
time, ” Dwivedi said during his annual news conference in the Indian capital.
He
added the situation along the disputed border with China was “sensitive but
stable.”
Indian
forces deployment along the disputed border “is balanced and robust. We are
well poised to deal with any situation,” he added.
Image
Credit: © AA
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