SRINAGAR: Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the much anticipated Z-Morh tunnel, LG Manoj Sinha said that the year 2024 has been a revolutionary year for the development in Jammu and Kashmir.
In 2024, the region witnessed an extraordinary influx of 2.35 crore tourists, setting a new record compared to 2.11 crore visitors in the previous year 2023. Foreign tourism also saw a remarkable surge, increasing by over 300 per cent in the last two and a half years, LG Sinha said.
The LG outlined the government’s focus on improving connectivity, a critical element of the Prime Minister’s development agenda for Jammu and Kashmir. “In 2024 alone, Modi visited the region three times, inaugurating or laying the foundation for projects worth rupees 41,700 crore. In 2022, projects worth rupees 20,000 crore were initiated during Modi’s visit to Samba.”
“Road and highway projects valued at rupees 1.5 lakh crore are currently underway, and tunnel projects, including the Zojila tunnel, are advancing rapidly.”
LG said that the Zojila tunnel is expected to be completed by 2026, while other major tunnels are scheduled for completion by December 2025. Sinha also mentioned that 99 per cent of the region’s villages with a population of 250, have been connected under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, with efforts ongoing to link the remaining nine villages as well. NABARD has also played a significant role, initiating 144 road and bridge projects to enhance regional connectivity.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted the region’s journey from despair to hope during the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg. The 6.5-kilometer-long tunnel, built at a cost of rupees 27,000 crore, is expected to revolutionize connectivity and strengthen tourism in Kashmir.
“Honourable Prime Minister has realised the dreams of thousands of Kashmiris,” said LG Sinha in his address. “From urban to rural areas, everyone has been provided an opportunity to lead a good life. The support you have provided has transformed the lives of women and youth in Kashmir.”
Sinha emphasised the shift in Jammu and Kashmir’s identity, stating that it is no longer known for militancy but for its flourishing tourism sector. He credited the Prime Minister’s agricultural reforms, grassroots democratic initiatives, and infrastructural development with bringing unprecedented progress to the region.
“You have inaugurated many developmental projects worth hundreds and thousands of crores. This tunnel is not just a milestone but a game-changer for Sonamarg and Kashmir’s tourism industry,” he said.
