Prime Minister Inaugurates Sonamarg Tunnel, Boosting Connectivity and Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.
Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the highly anticipated Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir today, marking a significant step in improving connectivity and enhancing tourism in the region. Addressing a gathering at the site, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude towards the laborers who worked tirelessly, often risking their lives, to complete the tunnel project. He acknowledged the hardships faced by these workers and praised their resolve, noting the completion of the tunnel despite numerous challenges.
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi celebrated the opening of the tunnel as a monumental achievement, stating that it would significantly boost connectivity for the region, especially between Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh. The tunnel, built at an altitude of over 8,650 feet, is expected to ease the transportation of essential supplies and medical aid, while providing uninterrupted access during harsh winter months prone to avalanches, heavy snowfall, and landslides. He emphasized that this development would also attract more tourists, thereby contributing to the region’s economic growth.
“Jammu and Kashmir is scripting a new chapter of development,” said the Prime Minister, noting that the tunnel would not only improve connectivity but also help Sonamarg emerge as a year-round tourist destination. He highlighted that the completion of the tunnel was part of a larger vision to bring improved infrastructure to the region, which includes new roads, rail links, and hospitals.
Prime Minister Modi also referenced the strategic importance of the tunnel, noting that it would enhance access to the strategically significant Ladakh region. He pointed out that the tunnel was part of an ongoing effort to modernize Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on infrastructure projects, education, healthcare, and job creation for the youth. This includes the establishment of institutions like IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS in the region.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that more than 4 crore poor families across India, including in Jammu and Kashmir, have been provided permanent housing under the government’s initiatives, with an additional 3 crore houses set to be constructed in the coming years. He also highlighted the benefits of programs such as the PM Vishwakarma scheme, which supports local artisans, and the substantial investments flowing into Jammu and Kashmir, creating job opportunities and boosting the local economy.
The Prime Minister’s address also touched on the growing tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that over 2 crore tourists visited the region in 2024, with Sonamarg seeing a sixfold increase in visitors over the past decade. He expressed his optimism that the Sonamarg Tunnel would further elevate this growth by improving accessibility to previously lesser-known areas of the state.
The tunnel, which spans approximately 12 km and has been constructed at a cost of over Rs. 2,700 crore, will complement the nearby Zojila Tunnel, which is set for completion in 2028. Together, these projects will drastically reduce travel time between Srinagar and Leh, ensuring faster and safer journeys, while also providing a vital strategic link for defense logistics.
During his visit, the Prime Minister also met with the construction workers, recognizing their hard work and dedication in completing this engineering marvel under the harshest of conditions. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Jitendra Singh, and Ajay Tamta.
With the completion of the Sonamarg Tunnel and other ongoing infrastructure projects, Jammu and Kashmir is poised to become one of the most connected regions in India, ushering in a new era of growth and development for the region.
