PM Modi gets nostalgic on inauguration of Z-Morh tunnel, praises warmth of J&K people | Full Speech

Jan 13, 2025

Sonamarg (J&K), January 13 (ANI): On the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "First of all, I would like to thank all the brothers who worked in the most difficult circumstances, risking their lives, for the progress of the country and Jammu and Kashmir. Also, 7 of our labour colleagues lost their lives but completed this task by overcoming all challenges. Today, I would like to remember the 7 colleagues we have lost their lives. "Two days ago, our CM Omar Abdullah posted some pictures of this place on social media. After seeing those pictures, my eagerness to come here among you increased even more. As the Chief Minister has just told you, I have had a long association with all of you and whenever I come here, I start remembering the days when I used to work as a worker of the BJP. I have spent a lot of time in this area. Be it Sonamarg, Gulmarg or Baramulla, we used to travel several kilometres on foot for hours and the snowfall used to be very heavy even then. But the warmth of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is such that we did not feel the cold..." "Today, there is a festive atmosphere in every corner of the country. From today, Maha Kumbh is starting in Prayagraj. Crores of people are going there for a holy bath. Today, the entire North India including Punjab is filled with the enthusiasm of Lohri. This is the time of many festivals like Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti and Pongal. This time of the year is of Chilla-i-Kalan here in the valley. Tourists from all over the country are reaching here... A few days ago I got the opportunity to lay the foundation stone of your own railway division in Jammu. This was your very old demand. Today I have got the opportunity to hand over the Sonamarg Tunnel to the country. This means that another very old demand of Ladakh of Jammu and Kashmir has been fulfilled today. "You can be sure, this is Modi. If he makes a promise, he keeps it. There is a time for every work and the right work is going to be done at the right time. The Sonamarg tunnel will make the lives of the people of Sonamarg as well as Kargil and Leh much easier...The construction of the Sonamarg tunnel started in 2015 when our government came to power and I am happy that the work of this tunnel has been completed by our government only. My mantra is always that whatever we start, we will also inaugurate it. This tunnel will give new wings to tourism in this entire area including Sonamarg. In the coming days, many projects of road and rail connectivity are going to be completed in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir is also going to be connected by rail. Hospitals are being built, colleges are being built. This is the new Jammu and Kashmir..."