Will pay tribute to bravehearts, address troops
*Highest tunnel in world to provide all-weather connectivity
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay homage to the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice during Kargil war in 1999 at Kargil War Memorial in Drass as the nation celebrates silver jubilee of the war victory tomorrow. Ahead of the PM’s visit, Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi reached Kargil this afternoon and attended programmes organized in connection with the victory celebrations.
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During his visit to Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Prime Minister will also carry out first blast of Shinkun La tunnel project virtually which when completed will be highest tunnel in the world. The tunnel is being constructed on Nimu-Padum-Darcha road in the Ladakh UT.
Modi will pay tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives during Kargil war and address the troops at Kargil War Memorial at Drass.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Mishra, the Army chief and top Commanders will be present at Drass tomorrow.
Shinkun Lal tunnel, whose first blast will be carried out by the Prime Minister virtually tomorrow, consists of 4.1 kilometers long twin-tube tunnel which will be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on Nimu-Padum-Darcha road.
The tunnel will provide all weather connectivity to Leh and when completed it will be the highest tunnel in the world.
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“Shinkun La tunnel will not only ensure swift and efficient movement of armed forces and equipment but also foster economic and social development in Ladakh,” an official statement released ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Kargil, said.
Shinkun La tunnel will be a twin-tube double lane tunnel with cross passages at every 500 meters. The tunnel’s features include Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA), Mechanical Ventilation System, Fire Fighting Systems and Communication systems.
The tunnel will serve as a vital link, connecting the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh with the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh. There are two existing axes to Leh, the Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil-Leh and the Manali-Atal Tunnel-Sarchu-Leh.
Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations are held every year at Drass War Memorial on July 26. It was on this day in 1999 that the Indian Army backed by the Indian Air Force pushed back the last Pakistani army intruders who had occupied the Kargil heights after nearly three months of war in which around 500 Indian soldiers attained martyrdom.
The Prime Minister, who has also visited Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world and War Memorial at Drass to celebrate Diwali with the Army soldiers on separate occasions, will also address the troops at Drass.
Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has conveyed his felicitations and wishes to all ranks of the Armed Forces on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War.
In his message, he underscored that the supreme sacrifices made by the bravehearts in Kargil war, will not go in vain. “It will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of not only soldiers but also the youth of the nation,” he said.
Highlighting the uniqueness of the Kargil War, the CDS said, there were lessons in the war for not only the military but for all those who deal with national security. He stressed that the lessons learnt by shedding blood must not be forgotten, the mistakes must not be repeated and the right lessons must be reinforced.
Regarding the ongoing reforms in the Armed Forces, Gen Chauhan underlined that the Tri-services are on the threshold of a major reform, that range from organisational, structural, conceptual to cultural. “The underlying aim of these reforms is to improve fighting efficiency and keep the Armed Forces battle ready at all times. We must be prepared to shed the obsolete practices and adopt new ones. The shape and contour of reforms must reflect the uniqueness of the Indian environment and challenges,” he said.
On the occasion, the CDS assured the citizens that the Armed Forces remain enthused with new energy as the nation steps into the Amritkaal and are determined to march in step with the rest of the country to make India a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
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