KINS DESK
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, speaking at the inauguration of the Z-Morh Tunnel, hailed 2024 as a transformative year for Jammu and Kashmir.
“This year has been revolutionary for the development of our region,” LG Sinha said, highlighting the record-breaking surge in tourism. “In 2024, we welcomed 2.35 crore tourists, setting a new record compared to 2.11 crore in 2023. Foreign tourism has also risen by over 300% in the last two and a half years,” he said as per news agency KINS.
Focusing on infrastructure development, Sinha emphasized the government’s commitment to improving connectivity in the region, a priority for Prime Minister Modi.
“In 2024 alone, PM Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir three times and inaugurated or laid the foundation for projects worth Rs 41,700 crore. This follows the Rs 20,000 crore worth of projects launched in 2022 during his visit to Samba,” he said.
LG Sinha also noted that major road and tunnel projects are ongoing to improve connectivity. “Road and highway projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore are currently underway, and tunnel projects, including the Zojila tunnel, are progressing fast,” he stated.
The Zojila tunnel, an essential project for the region’s connectivity, is expected to be completed by 2026, while other major tunnels are slated to be finished by December 2025. He also shared that nearly all villages in the region, with a population of 250 or more, have been connected under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana. “Efforts are ongoing to connect the last nine villages as well,” he added.
NABARD has been instrumental in driving connectivity improvements, with 144 road and bridge projects currently underway to strengthen the region’s infrastructure.
LG Sinha concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving the lives of the people in Jammu and Kashmir through better infrastructure and connectivity.(KINS)
