PM Modi inaugurates Z-Morh tunnel, calls J&K the ‘crown of India’

J&K is the crown of the country; I want this crown to be beautiful and prosperous, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inaugural ceremony of the newly constructed Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Modi expressed gratitude to workers who endured challenging conditions to complete the project. "I thank the brothers who risked their lives for the nation's progress and Jammu and Kashmir. Seven of our labor colleagues lost their lives but overcame challenges to complete this task," he said. Modi remembered those who died in the terrorist attack and acknowledged their dedication, emphasizing their sacrifice in the nation’s progress.

He further talked about his fond memories of Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to recent photos shared by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Modi said they reignited his eagerness to visit. He reminisced about his time as a BJP worker, "I have spent a lot of time in this area. Be it Sonamarg, Gulmarg, or Baramulla, we used to travel several kilometers 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," he said.

Modi said that with the start of this tunnel, it will boost tourism in Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh. "You can trust me; when I make a promise, I keep it," he said. "Every task has the right time, and the right work will happen when it should. The Sonamarg tunnel will make life easier for the people in Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh. Our government started building this tunnel in 2015, and I am proud that we completed it. My principle is clear: whatever we start, we will finish."