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.
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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel in Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir on Monday, calling it a significant step in improving road connectivity in the region. The 6.5km-long tunnel will make Sonamarg accessible throughout the year, solving the problem of road closures during harsh winters and making travel to Leh smoother. Despite delays due to financial issues faced by the original contractor, the Prime Minister commended the hard work and dedication of the engineers and workers who completed the project.
The new Z-Morh tunnel, built using state-of-the-art technology, will make the scenic Sonamarg tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir accessible throughout the year. It will also reduce travel time and allow vehicles to travel at faster speeds. The project, which faced setbacks due to financial stress, was finally completed after a decade and was inaugurated by PM Modi along with other top officials. Named after late BJP leader Z-Morh, the tunnel is a major feat of engineering in the picturesque valley of Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extend warm greetings to the Sikh community and all those commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They both highlight the Guru's teachings of equality, righteousness, and unity, and hope for peace and unity in the region. However, they also urge readers to support quality journalism as it takes a lot of time and effort to produce and maintain high-quality news coverage.
Vidarbha captain Karun Nair has made history in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The right-handed batter has the most amount of runs without being dismissed in List A cricket after scoring four consecutive centuries in India's premier domestic 50-over competition. Nair's unbeaten knock of 112 in their match against Jammu & Kashmir kicked off his remarkable streak, followed by scores of 44, 163*, 111*, and 112 against Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, respectively. At the top of Group D with 20 points and a net run-rate of +1.433, Nair and Vidarbha are dominating the tournament.
In a media interaction, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his disapproval of the hybrid model of governance in the Union Territory, stating that dual centres of power are not effective tools for governance. He also addressed other issues, such as differences of opinion and reservation protests, reiterating the need for a single centre of command for better functioning of the system. The chief minister also discussed the recent controversy over land acquisition for a campus of the National Institute of Technology, emphasizing the importance of finding a balance between development and protecting productive agriculture land.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is hopeful for the restoration of statehood and promises to fulfil all the promises made to the people during his five-year term. He also assures improved infrastructure and electricity situation in the Union Territory. Regarding the recent allegations of recruitment scam, he calls for a fair investigation and assures that deserving candidates will receive justice.
The Indian Parliament witnessed a heated debate on Tuesday as the government introduced two bills proposing "One Nation, One Election", or simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. While the Opposition criticized the bills for infringing upon the federal structure, the government defended its decision and sent the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion. This marked the first use of electronic voting in the new Parliament House. The bills also include amendments to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed changes.