Epilogue Press

EPILOGUE PRESS: Srinagar/Jammu, July 25: In a major developmental initiative which is set to revolutionize the economic profile of Jammu and Kashmir through state-of-the-art highways, work was today launched in 8.45 Kilometer long tunnel between Qazigund and Banihal.
Foundation stone of the tunnel, which is a part of north-south corridor project, was laid today at Qazigund by Union Minister for Surface Transport Dr CP Joshi in presence of J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad and Farooq Abdullah.
The total length of National Highway from Lakhanpur to Srinagar is 400 kms. Of this, work is nearing completion for 114 km stretch from Lakhanpur to Jammu and 17 kms Srinagar bypass at a cost of Rs 952 crores. The 4-laining from Srinagar to Jammu is being taken in hand in six packages involving the cost of over Rs 9700 crores. The project is being execution by National Highway Authority of India.
The tunnel project at Qazigund envisages construction of 8.45 kms long tunnel (twin tubes of 2-lane each) and short tunnel of 690 meters length (twin tubes of 2-lane each). The project is expected to be completed by June 2016. The expenditure is estimated at over Rs 1987 crores. It will reduce the travelling time by about one hour and bypass the avalanches prone area.
The Chief Minister emphasising the importance of good road communication in Jammu and Kashmir for economic transformation and faster development said that the efficacy and necessity of tunnels at various places in the State can be visualized by the fact that many areas of the State remain totally cut-off for six months of winter season.
“The helicopter service for immediate healthcare attention in these areas is even sub-servant to the weather condition. If weather is not favourable we cannot even repatriate most critical patients from these areas nor arrange urgent healthcare facility and medicines to them”, he said underlining the need for boreing of tunnels to link up these areas.
The Chief Minister said that tunnels at Gurez, Karnah, Zojila, Chattroo, Mughal road and Kapran are of urgent need. He asked the Union Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad, Dr Farooq Abdullah and C. P. Joshi to support the State’s proposal for constructing such tunnels at the Union Government level to help transform the economy and development of a vast chunk of far-flung and remote areas.
“Construction of few tunnels in the State is a little matter for our great country, India but it has greater meaning and value for a hilly State like Jammu and Kashmir”, he elaborated and explained the importance of these tunnels for inter-district connectivity in the State. He said that his Government is taking full advantage of PMGSY and CRF schemes to upgrade and construct roads. However, Central assistance for boreing of important tunnels is the need of the day.
On recent incident of alleged molestation of women, the Chief Minister said that his Government has never tried to hide the truth nor we will do it in future. “My Government would better leave the power than to hide any fact or protect the culprits”, he said adding that the track record of his Government itself speaks of the action taken by it on various incidents and bringing the facts to surface.
Omar appealed the people not to resort to violence, stone pelting and putting the vehicles on fire, but give chance to the law-enforcing agencies to unearth the facts. “Law agencies should be given some time to unearth the truth and book the culprits”, he said adding that taking law and order in hands endangers the precious human lives without yielding any result.
“During the last year we have witnessed this kind of situation and we should be wiser enough not to get lead astray by provocations”, he advised the people assuring justice and stern action against the culprits.
Without naming PDP, the Chief Minister said that certain politicians are frustrated to see the peace rooting fast in the valley, conduct of panchayat elections successfully, good tourist season and development going on high pace. “They are jealous of these developments and are in search of an occasion to disturb the law and order and peace in the State”, he added.
Lauding the process of dialogue between India and Pakistan for improving the relations and resolving the issues, the Chief Minister asked the Union Ministers present on the dais to carry the message from the people of the State to the Union Government for taking up the issue of allowing international flights from Srinagar to Dubai via Pakistan with the Pak Foreign Minister during her visit to New Delhi. “This is an important matter for our people as it directly relates to the promotion of tourism in the State”, he emphasised.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister C. P. Joshi said that the UPA Government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh is committed to the faster development of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the 4-lane National Highway project of which the tunnels at Qazigund and Chenani farm an important part would help the development and economic growth of the State in a big way.
The Union Minister assured the State Government that Centre would extend its full support to it for creating a dependable road-network in the State. “You have sacrificed for the cause of the country”, he said adding that it was the responsibility of the Union Government to extent every possible help to the State for its all round development.
Joshi listed the achievements registered by the country under various congress led Governments and said that the Country would achieve new highs under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh.
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said that the Congress- National Conference coalition Government in the State would achieve the goals of peace and prosperity adding that the dynamism of young Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is on world focus and his success is the success of youth.
Joshi said that UPA Government has introduced comprehensive plan for upgradation and construction of roads, universalization of education, guaranteed employment, supply of drinking water and electricity in the country involving an expenditure of Rs 2.47 lakh crores. He said that laws for right to food, right to health and right to education are in the pipeline.
In his speech, the Union Minister for New and Renewal Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah stressed on close relations between the coalition partners from top to bottom to help faster growth and development of the State. He said certain elements do not like the coalition getting stronger day by day and delivering on every front.
“They want to create wedge between NC and Congress for personal gains”, he said adding that they have exposed themselves time and again by their deeds and actions as such there is no one to buy their divisive political tactics.
Highlighting the importance of 4-lane National Highway for the State, Dr Farooq Abdullah also emphasised on construction of tunnels at various places including one at Kapran.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad listed the schemes launched by the Union Government for overall development and welfare of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ghulam Nabi Azad said that works involving Rs 30000 crores are under execution in the State under National Highway and Railway Projects. “These will necessarily give considerable fillip to the State’s economy and development”, he said underlining the importance of 4-lane National Highway project from Lakhanpur to Srinagar in the economy and growth of the State.
The Union Health Minister said that the Health Ministry has launched an ambitious programme of enhancing primary health service facilities in the country to cover all areas under this programme. He said an amount of Rs 17,000 crores have been earmarked under this programme and Jammu and Kashmir will receive due share and benefits of it.
Azad said that UPA Government under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh is keen to see Jammu and Kashmir developing fast and growing with the rest of the country on all fronts.
The 4-lane National Highway project also envisages construction of a 9 kms long second tunnel from Chenani to Nashri. It will be 2-lane two way tube of 9.35 meters carriage way along with escape tunnel of 5 meters width having clear height of 2.5 meters. The tunnel involving an expenditure of Rs 2519 crores is expected to be completed by May 2016. It will reduce the length of the National Highway by 30 km and the time by about one and the half hours