Highlights of Lieutenant Governor’s Speech
With opening of Sonamarg Tunnel, a new chapter has begun in the history of J&K. I am grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the people of UT and creating an environment which is enabling common man to flourish and live a dignified life.
Sonamarg tunnel is the “Bhagya Rekha” (lifeline) for J&K, enabling year-round connectivity to the picturesque Sonamarg. It will be a Game-Changer for the local economy, winter tourism and also create new avenues of livelihood & trade in the region.
Hon’ble PM has taken the J&K on a path of progress & prosperity from agonies. From darkness he has brought light of hope in the lives of people. J&K has been mentioned as heaven in books, he has made it a reality. Today instead of terrorism, tourism is being discussed.
This ground-breaking project is a testament to Government’s commitment to rapid and inclusive development of the UT of Jammu Kashmir. The opening of this tunnel will not only change the fortunes of the tourism sector in Sonamarg but will also change the social and economic condition of this area.
I pay my homage to workers of the Sonamarg Tunnel project martyred in Gagangir terror attack. Today, we have also taken a big leap from a strategic point of view and have provided a strong infrastructure support to facilitate the movement of our Armed Forces. The under-construction Zojila tunnel, likely to be completed by 2026, will also ensure connectivity to Ladakh throughout the year and uninterrupted essential services to remote areas.
The unprecedented expansion of infrastructure, new industrial revolution, large network of highways, strengthening of democracy at the grassroots level, new revolution in agriculture and horticulture sector, rejuvenation of socio-economic sectors and upliftment of deprived sections have laid a strong foundation for a developed, self-reliant Jammu Kashmir.
Peace and stability have transformed the tourism sector. The number of foreign tourists has increased by 300 %. J&K has recorded 2.35 crore tourist visits in 2024, while 2.11 lakh tourists visited Jammu Kashmir in 2023.
Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, we are witnessing an unprecedented road and tunnel infrastructure development.
• Around Rs 1.5 lakh crores worth Road and Highways projects are underway in Jammu Kashmir.
• Work is going on at a fast pace on the Delhi- Amritsar- Katra Expressway. Baramulla-Kupwara-Trehgam National Highway, Baramulla-Uri Highway, Pattan Bypass, Baramulla Bypass and many other projects are aimed at strengthening the road connectivity in the UT.
• The construction work of 8 tunnel projects is going on at a rapid pace and is likely to be completed by December 2025.
• Work on Sudhmahadev-Dranga Tunnel and Singhpora-Velu Tunnel is being started.
• Around 144 road and bridge projects have been started under NABARD.
• We have succeeded in connecting more than 99% of the villages of Jammu Kashmir with road under PMGSY and connectivity will be established soon to the remaining 09 villages and they will be connected to the mainstream of socio-economic development. The dream of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari through railway network will soon become a reality. The opening of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link will usher in a new era of socio-economic development and national integration.
The Sonamarg Tunnel project, around 12 km long, has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. It comprises of the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km length, an egress tunnel and approach roads. Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, it will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg enroute to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region.
