PM kick-starts work on Asia’s longest tunnel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his daylong visit to Jammu and Kashmir by kick-starting Asia’s longest tunnel, as a part of Rs250 billion (Dh13.48 billion) worth of projects to be unveiled yesterday, saying it showed New Delhi’s commitment to the all-round development of the state.

The prime minister said the Zojila project will be a 14.15km two-lane bi-directional single-tube tunnel. It will provide all-weather connectivity to Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and would lead to the all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions, he said.

The tunnel would see the 3.5-hour drive through the mountainous Zojila cut down to 15 minutes.

Addressing a gathering in Leh for the closing ceremony for birth centenary celebrations of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, Modi said the tunnel would help in connecting the region with the rest of the country, a dream of the Buddhist spiritual guru.

The Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National highway and remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall, cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir.

The prime minister also announced the creation of a virtual museum which would showcase the history and traditions of the Ladakh region to the world.

Modi arrived here yesterday morning on a daylong visit to the state, his first after the Centre announced the suspension of operations against terror groups during Ramadan.