Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and MSME Nitin Gadkari and Jitendra Singh, MoS (I/C) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space on October 24, 2019, announced renaming of Chenani Nashri Tunnel on NH 44 in Jammu & Kashmir as Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel at an event in New Delhi.
This 9 km tunnel is the longest such state of art tunnel in the country connecting Udhampur to Ramban in Jammu. Constructed at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore, it cuts down 31 km of travel distance and reduces the travel time between the two points by about two hours in addition to substantial saving in fuel cost.
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said the renaming of the tunnel is a fitting tribute to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who sacrificed his life for the country and has been a source of inspiration for the nation. Talking about his Ministry’s initiatives in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Gadkari said that Rs 6,000 crore worth of road projects have been taken up in the state during the last five years. They include Ring Roads around both Jammu and Srinagar and construction of Zojila Tunnel among others. He said these projects will be major game changers for the people of the state bringing employment and socio-economic development, according to a PIB release.
Gadkari announced plans for construction of a new road alignment between Delhi and Katra in Jammu, which will reduce the travel time up to six hours. He said the new alignment will pass through the states of Haryana and Punjab. He also said that the government is working on a policy for enhancing employment generation in the state through medium and small scale industries like handloom, handicrafts, honey based industries etc.