Z-Morh (Sonamarg), Srinagar, October 04 (Scoop News) -    The General Secretary Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi said that he is Kashmiri himself and wants to associate with the people of the State in resolving their difficulties. “I myself am from Kashmiri family and want to have lifelong relations with the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, he said adding that he extends hand to Omar Abdullah like Jawaharlal Nehru extended it to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for holistic and comprehensive development of Jammu and Kashmir.

                       Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of Z-Morh tunnel on Srinagar-Leh National Highway between Gagangir and Sonamarg this afternoon, Rahul Gandhi referred to the relations between Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Jawaharlal Nehru and between Rajiv Gandhi and Dr. Farooq Abdullah adding that he wants to strengthen these relations and extends hand to Omar Abdullah in a similar way as Jawaharlal Nehru extended it to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

            Rahul Gandhi said that he wants youth of Jammu and Kashmir involved in development process adding that he wants to share the difficulties of people. “I want to hear you, understand your problems and work for their redressal”, he said adding that he had visited the State last year, came here again this year and would come again and again to meet the people.

            Rahul Gandhi said that there has been significant development in the Country in all fields of life. “Every State enjoyed share in the development process”, he said adding that Jammu and Kashmir also deserves all round development and economic welfare.

            Rahul Gandhi said that the foundation laying of Z-Morh tunnel is a first step towards opening Ladakh area to traffic throughout the year adding that foundation for Zojila tunnel next year would be yet another important milestone to achieve the goal.

            Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand,  Minister for Public Enterprises, Peerzada Sayed, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Medical Education, R. S. Chib, Minister of States, Nasir Aslam Wani, Javid Ahmad Dar and Shabir Ahmad Khan, Legislators, Union leaders of INC, Pradesh Congress President, Saif-ud-Din Soz and other dignitaries were present on the occasion while Director Border Roads Organization, Ravi Shankar presented vote of thanks on the occasion.

            The Union Government has approved the State Government’s proposal of boring tunnels at Z-Morh and Zojila Pass to make Ladakh area accessible throughout the year through a upgraded road communication and today’s foundation laying of Z-Morh tunnel is a part of the proposal. The tunnel between Sonamarg and Gagangir known as Z-Morh tunnel will be 2-lene 6.5 Kilometer long with parallel escape tunnel. The total cost is estimated to be Rs. 2716 crore on the project. The carriageway width for tunnel will be 8 mtrs. and that of escape tunnel 3.5 mtrs. The project is expected to be completed in August 2018.

            Construction of another tunnel at Zojila Pass about 22 kilometers from Z-Morh tunnel is envisaged to provide all weather connectivity to Ladakh region. The 2-lane 13 kilometer long tunnel is likely to cost over Rs. 5500 crores.

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