*PM assures support for development of J&K
Fayaz Bukhari
BANIHAL, June 26: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today assured his full support for development and progress of Jammu and Kashmir and asked the Railways to compelete remaing part of Udhampur-Baramulla rail link as early as possible so as to connect Kashmir with rest of the country through all-weather transport.
While addressing a gathering after dedicating Qazigund-Banihal rail link to the nation, Prime Minister said at a public rally at Banihal railway station: “I assure you that Centre Government will provide all the support required for the development and progress of the State.”
The PM after taking a ride on Qazigund-Banihal section of the rail described it as an engineering marvel. He said that this is part of the efforts of the Centre Government for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir. He told the Railways to complete the remaining part of the rail link quickly.
“Katra-Udhampur rail link will be completed within few months from now, and then the Qazigund -Udhampur will begin which is a challenging task as the 359 meter bridge over Chenab river is to be completed, which is one of the highest rail bridge in the world. I want to tell the Railway Department to complete the rail link as early as possible so the Kashmir is connected to the rest of the country through an all-weather transport”, Dr Singh added.
“As the rail link is developed further, we will connect it to other railway network of the country”, said the Prime Minister.
Singh said: “Today we are dedicating such an engineering marvel to the nation which has been carved by the engineers and experts from the great Himalayan Mountain. Undoubtedly, this is a great opportunity worth remembering.”
“Jammu-Srinagar-Qazigund-Katra was a dream project of Maharaja Partap Singh envisioned by him in 1889, but till now it was never realized. Jammu -Udhampur rail link was also the dream project of Indira Gandhi which she made possible by starting work on it in 1983. I am happy that we have made the project practically possible” the PM told the rally.
While praising the engineers, the PM said: “Most of work on this significant and beautiful railway project has been completed. The Qazigund -Banihal tunnel is the struggle and hard work of those people who carried it out despite harsh weather conditions and difficult geographical conditions.”
On the significance of rail link, Singh said: “The significance of this 11-km tunnel in Pir Panchal Mountain, the longest tunnel in India that took seven years to complete, is paramount. It will economically benefit the people of Kashmir as it provides all-weather connectivity to them with India which has been seeing high economical progress from the past several years.”
“This link will accelerate the economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir. It will provide progress and employment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The materials that are being manufactured in Jammu and Kashmir can be transported to other parts of the country and vice versa. Trade and travel will increase between JK and rest of India. Tourism will see more growth as a result it will generate more employment opportunities for people here. The travel will be economical for the people of Kashmir and will connect them with the people beyond the tunnel”, the PM said.
He added: “In 2005, I had announced development plan for Jammu and Kashmir. Out of 65 developmental projects 34 have been completed and work on remaining other projects is going on. For these projects, the Central Government had sanctioned an amount of Rs 7315 crore. Some important projects that have been completed are 1000 micro hydel power projects, the construction of Khanabal-Pahaklgam and Narbal-Tangmarg road, opening of 14 new degree colleges, 9 ITIs, development of Srinagar Airport on modern lines and throwing it open to operate international flights, creation of five Indian Reserve Police battalions, 12 Tourism Development Authorities and a 1000 crore project in Jammu and Ladakh.”
Singh said that Himayat and Umeed schemes that provide skill development and employment opportunities for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are desired results. “They will develop the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to avail the educational benefits available in the country”, he added.
The Congress President and chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Sonia Gandhi in a veiled message to the separatists in her speech said that the Centre is aware of the sentiments of people of the State and affirmed that the solution lies in the democratic set up of the country.
Sonia said: “I am fully aware that occasionally something happens which is very painful. I want to say that we understand the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and we strongly believe that our democracy is so strong that any problem can be settled through discussions, deliberations and understanding.”
Sonia while praising Omar for the heavy participation of the people in Panchayat elections said that it demonstrated that the people of the State are fed up with violence and are desirous for peace.
“What the youth of Jammu and Kashmir want? They want that their future is safeguarded through quality education and better employment opportunities. And what the women of Jammu and Kashmir want? They want to be independent so that there is a change in their daily lives. In this context, programmes like Himayat and Umeed have been launched, in addition to other schemes which will help strengthen the Halqa Panchayats,” Sonia said.
Sonia said: “I am of the opinion that the elections to the local bodies should be held on time and they should be given full powers and financial support. There is a new hope in Jammu and Kashmir which we have to take care of and strengthen very soon. People of the State are desirous of a better future based on secularism and equal development.”
Sonia said that UPA will provide every possible support for development of Jammu and Kashmir and will ensure brighter future of the people of the State.
Gandhi said the Centre is focusing on constructions of all-weather roads in far flung areas for the benefit of the people. “I am very hopeful that the UPA Government will provide all assistance to ensure completion of Grameen Sadak Yojna scheme in the State.”
On rail service between Banihal and Qazigund, Gandhi said: “This is a beginning of a new era in Jammu and Kashmir which will give impetus to economic development and increase trade. This is such a phase which will promote tourism and other activities. This is a beginning of a phase which will create employment opportunities for the youth of this region besides helping the people to remain connected with outside world throughout the year especially during winter season.”
Asserting that UPA Government believes in all round development in the country, she said special care is being taken for the people living in far flung areas to ensure their participation in the path to development. “This has been the vision of Congress party since Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who gave us the vision of modern India. This vision was carried forward by Indira Gandhi ji and Rajiv ji. This vision has been the soul behind all the development works and policies carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh,” she said.
Sonia said UPA Government has made huge investments in construction of new highways, roads, bridges, tunnels and laying railway lines. “Schemes were implemented to link the far flung areas with the mainland. The construction of Mughal road which connects Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region with Kashmir valley, the laying of tunnels on the highway connecting Kashmir with Ladakh region are a few examples,” she added.
Union Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge, said that it is not only an engineering marvel but it will enhance the development of Jammu and Kashmir and will give a chance to domestic and international tourists to see beauty of Kashmir.
Governor, NN Vohra, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress president Saif-ud-Din Soz, Ministers, Abdul Majid Wani, Vikar Rasool, Parliament Members, Ambika Soni, Dr Mehboob Beg, Lal Singh, Deputy Speaker, Mohammad Sartaj Madni, Legislators, Chairman Railway Board, Vinay Mittal and senior officers from Centre and State were present on the occasion in the rally.
Thousands of supporters of the NC and Congress participated in the rally and the mood at the time was surcharged. The NC and Congress supporters were raining slogans in favour of their leaders.
The security at the venue was tightest ever as people and media had to go through multipule security checks after attacks in Srinagar ahead of Prime Minister’s visit in which 10 security men were killed in two separate militant attacks in Srinagar.
“The tunnel has been constructed using New Austrian Tunnelling Method and it is for the first time in the country that this method has been used on such a large scale. It has all the facilities, like safety precaution, ventilation, CCTVs and fire alerts. It has all facilities to tackle any untoward incident Over the years HCC has successfully executed several landmark projects across India including the iconic Bandra Worli Sea Link in Mumbai,” President HCC Arun Karambelkar told Excelsior.
The tunnel excavation was commenced by HCC in November 2005. During the course of work, the project team faced several technical challenges due to unpredictable geology and inconsistency of the rock mass of this region. Despite the challenges, the project team successfully completed the work with a Zero Accident record. The overall breakthrough between Banihal to Qazigund was achieved on October 2011 and execution of a 6.4 km long tunnel was carried out in a single phase.
The tunnel is longest transportation tunnel in India and second longest in Asia. It has provision of 3 metre wide concrete road inside the tunnel throughout the length for maintenance and emergency relief purpose. This road has been constructed adjacent to the railway track. The Pir Panchal tunnel passes 440 metre below the existing Jawahar Road Tunnel. The alignment of Pir Panchal tunnel crosses the NH – 1A at three locations. In the tunnel for the first time large scale use of NATM method was used in India. The highest mountain height above the tunnel is of 1.1kilometers. A team of 1,500 workers braved the freezing winter months from December to March to successfully complete the project.
Follow our WhatsApp channel