Veerinag Apr 11: Former J&K Pradesh Congress Committee President Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Tuesday said the central government has neglected some of the most important tunnel projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a function in Veerinag area of Anantnag district, Mir said though the union minister mentioned the progress on Zojila Tunnel and other important projects including efforts to boost tourism sector in J&K, sadly the Minister did not even mention the plans for construction of other important tunnels at various higher altitudes in Kashmir awaiting Govt approval since a long.
He said the GOI has neglected Kapran-Desa, Sadhna Top, Razdan Top, Mati Gawarn – Enshan Tunnel projects, which also happen to be equally important given their higher altitude and difficult topographies coupled with strategic defense snags due to the connectivity issues in certain areas especially Karnah and Gurez falling very close LOC.
Elaborating the significance of Tunnel projects, Mir said Kapran Desa Tunnel is an important project sanctioned by the UPA Govt which connects Kashmir with Chenab Valley. “..but the project has been awaiting execution for a long time due to the policies adopted by Modi Govt. The Union Minister didn’t even mention this project in his presser thereby hurting the expectations of the people”.
Quoting the importance of Sadhna Top connecting Kupwara with Karnah and Razdan Pass connecting Bandipora with Gurez, Mir said these too are important projects in terms of defense and other means of connectivity, but remain cutoff with rest of the valley for about six months so causing huge inconvenience to common people, who get stuck during winter months.
Mir reiterated that GOI India must sanction Sadhna, Razdan, Kapran Desa, Mati Gawaran-Warwan Tunnel projects without any further loss of time to ensure all weather connectivity to people, which is also paramount to overall development of Jammu and Kashmir especially to these difficult areas.
