Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel, Abdullah lauded Modi's efforts in bridging the gap between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the central government. He commended the smooth conduct of elections in the Union Territory and expressed hope for the restoration of statehood. Paying homage to the victims of a terrorist attack near the tunnel site, Abdullah affirmed that terrorism will not stop the region's development and democracy.
Omar Abdullah Inaugurates Sonamarg Tunnel, Lauds Modi's Efforts
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Sonamarg Tunnel on December 24, 2020, amidst fanfare. The inauguration marked a significant milestone in improving connectivity and accessibility to the picturesque Sonamarg valley.
Abdullah's Laudatory Remarks
In his address at the inauguration, Abdullah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in bridging the gap between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the central government. He commended the smooth conduct of elections in the Union Territory, held for the first time after the abrogation of Article 370, and expressed hope for the restoration of statehood.
Abdullah acknowledged the challenges faced by the region but emphasized that terrorism will not deter development and democracy. He paid homage to the victims of a terrorist attack that took place near the tunnel site in 2019.
Background of the Sonamarg Tunnel
The 2.5-kilometer Sonamarg Tunnel is part of the Zojila Tunnel Project, which aims to provide all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh region. The project is expected to reduce travel time and improve economic opportunities for both regions.
The tunnel was constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) at a cost of over Rs. 280 crore. It is designed to accommodate two-way traffic and is equipped with state-of-the-art safety features, including ventilation systems and LED lighting.
Significance of the Inauguration
The inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel marks a significant step forward in improving infrastructure and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. It is expected to boost tourism, trade, and overall development in the region.
The event also showcased the commitment of the government to the development of the Union Territory. It is hoped that the inauguration will pave the way for further positive developments in the region.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1. Who is Omar Abdullah? A1. Omar Abdullah is a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the current president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.
Q2. Why was the Sonamarg Tunnel inaugurated? A2. The Sonamarg Tunnel was inaugurated to improve connectivity and accessibility to the Sonamarg valley and to provide all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
Q3. Who constructed the Sonamarg Tunnel? A3. The Sonamarg Tunnel was constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO).
Q4. What is the significance of the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel? A4. The inauguration of the tunnel is a significant step forward in improving infrastructure and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir and is expected to boost tourism, trade, and overall development.
Q5. What are the challenges faced by the region? A5. The region faces challenges such as terrorism and economic instability, but efforts are underway to address these issues and promote development.
On January 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Lohri with the public in New Delhi, spreading warm wishes and highlighting the festival's cultural significance. Lohri, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season, symbolizes prosperity and togetherness among people from all walks of life. The celebration was filled with joy and the traditional rituals of gathering around a bonfire, singing folk songs, and offering offerings for a successful and abundant year ahead.
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has taken action against Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Yadav for his alleged anti-Muslim remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event. Khanna has requested a fresh report from the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice on the issue, after the Collegium previously met with Justice Yadav for an explanation. This is seen as a first step in the process to initiate an in-house inquiry for judicial misconduct, based on a previous Supreme Court ruling that sets guidelines for handling such cases.
In a recent interview, a former Supreme Court Justice reflects on the crucial role of the judiciary in maintaining a check-and-balance system within the government. He emphasizes the need for a certain level of distance between the judiciary and the government, and discusses his experience working with different chief justices. While admitting to having some differences in perception, he also highlights the importance of standing firm on administrative decisions to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
Odisha has become the 34th state to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana scheme, much to the appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He criticized the previous BJD government for not adopting the scheme, which aims to provide affordable and high-quality healthcare to all citizens. The new BJP-led government in Odisha has replaced the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana with the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, in line with the national health scheme. This move is expected to benefit women and senior citizens in the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched his party's Delhi campaign with a fiery speech at a public meeting in the Muslim-dominated area of Seelampur. He took aim at both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, accusing them of failing to deliver on their promises. As the Congress sets its sights on reclaiming its minority vote bank, Gandhi reminded the audience of the party's past successes under former CM Sheila Dikshit and promised to prioritize Delhi's development. Despite the AAP and Congress being part of the same INDIA bloc, Gandhi made it clear that the two parties are now strong competitors in the upcoming assembly elections.
General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking at the Army's annual press conference, disclosed that only four local men in J&K joined militant ranks in 2020 and that 60% of those killed during counter-terrorism operations were from Pakistan. He emphasized that the local people were in favor of peace and that the violence in the region was being orchestrated by Pakistan. Despite the challenges faced by the Army in the past two years, recent successes in reworking the counter-terrorism grid have led to a positive change and the theme of "terrorism to tourism" is gradually becoming a reality in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to bridge the gap between Delhi and Union Territory. He praised the Prime Minister for keeping his promise of conducting Assembly elections in the region and stated that it has led to an increase in trust among the residents. PM Modi inaugurated the 6.5-kilometre Sonamarg Tunnel, which will now be called the Z-Morh Tunnel, in a major infrastructure boost for the region. Chief Minister Abdullah also mentioned the Centre's efforts to reduce the distance between Delhi and the heart of the region, leaving the Prime Minister with a smile.
As the number of women in India's armed forces steadily increases, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi announces plans for gender neutrality and enhanced roles for women in the military. With approximately 1,700 women officers set to join the Indian Army and other forces after training, the push for a strong and equal female presence in the tri-services is gaining momentum. The Army Chief notes that women officers have been performing exceptionally well, and efforts are being made to ensure a gender-neutral approach to their roles and opportunities in the armed forces.
The National Commission for Women has formed a committee to investigate the brutal killing of a female BPO employee by her colleague in the parking lot of their company. The committee will be headed by NCW Member Secretary Meenakshi Negi and will also include former DGP's Dr B K Sinha and R Sreelekha. The committee's mandate includes identifying lapses in workplace security and bystander inaction, and proposing measures for improving safety in the tech industry.