Narendra Modi, is on a day’s visit to JK kick started work for Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest and strategic bi-directional tunnel, to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh.
Modi will also attend the closing ceremony of the 100th birth anniversary of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche (Buddhist spiritual guru) in Leh.
The tunnel will cut down the time taken to cross the Zojila pass, from three and a half hours presently, to just fifteen minutes. Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National highway and remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir.
The project aims at construction of 14.15 kilometer long, two lane bi-directional single tube tunnel.
Ring Roads in Srinagar and Jammu are aimed at reducing traffic congestion and making road travel safer, faster, more convenient and more environment friendly. PM will also attend the Convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 18, 2018
At the ceremony, Modi said projects worth Rs 25,000 crore would either be initiated or inaugurated today in all three regions and it showed the commitment of the central and the state governments towards the speedy development of the state.
PM would lay the Foundation Stone of the Pakul Dul Power Project, and the Jammu Ring Road. He will also inaugurate the Tarakote Marg and Material Ropeway of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The Tarakote Marg will facilitate pilgrims visiting the shrine.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 18, 2018
Earlier, mobile Internet service was snapped across Kashmir valley in the wake of Modi’s visit. Both the high and low-speed mobile Internet services were snapped shortly after midnight. However, low speed service was restored on some networks later in the day.
The Joint Resistance Leadership had called for a peaceful protest in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar against Modi’s visit. However, Both Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were put under house arrest in order to prevent them from leading protests. JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik continues to remain under custody.
As the authoritarian rulers once again belie any claim to democracy by imposing #HouseArrests #Curfew #Restrictions #Barricades #Blockades closure of educational institutions on the visit of Indian PM to valley , I will peacefully march towards #LalChowk at 11 am
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) May 19, 2018
Mirwaiz, in a bid to move towards Lal Chowk, tried to defy his house arrest and was detained by a contingent of police deployed outside his Nigeen residence.
Moreover the government forces sealed Lal Chowk in order to prevent people from protesting peacefully on call of the JRL. Barricades manned by contingents of police and paramilitary personnel were placed along all the roads, including lanes and by lanes, to thwart the proposed march.
On Friday, dueing his sermon, Mirwaiz had said that the proposed rally of the Joint Resistance Leadership must be allowed so that Modi can hear the ‘Man ki baat’ of the people of Kashmir.
