Minimarg: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the Zojila tunnel as a project that will “transform daily life” in the region.
Accompanying the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari during the breakthrough ceremony of the Zojila Tunnel, Omar Abdullah said the tunnel would ease access to education, healthcare and markets, and significantly boost tourism and trade. “It will bring improvements in people’s lives that we may not fully realise today,” he noted, while congratulating the local population, an official press release informed.
It said the chief minister also welcomed the breakthrough as the fulfillment of a long-pending demand of the region, while stressing the need to complete the remaining works at the earliest so that the tunnel can be fully operational.
On broader connectivity, Omar Abdullah highlighted the need for improved air connectivity for Kargil. He said efforts had been made in this direction but more support was required.
Referring to this, he said there remains “one aspiration still unfulfilled” and urged the Union Minister to support regular flight connectivity for Kargil, expressing hope that it would soon become a reality.
He concluded by congratulating the people of Drass and appreciating the efforts of all stakeholders involved in the project.
Also present on the occasion were Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, Member of Parliament Ladakh Haji Mohammad Haneefa Jan, along with senior civil, military and project officials.
