Sonamarg: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday pressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil his promise of restoring J&K's statehood in the aftermath of Article 370 abrogation, prompting Modi to respond over the "right time" for fulfilling commitments.
Omar Abdullah while speaking at the public gathering after the tunnel inauguration welcomed PM Modi by saying that the weather is clear and clouds are not hovering over the sky despite winter and cold.
Omar reminded the Prime Minister of the three assurances he made during his visit to Srinagar last year.
"You have fulfilled two promises — bridging the 'Delhi ki Doori' and conducting Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the third promise of restoring statehood remains unfulfilled. The people frequently question me about it," Omar said. "My heart believes you will fulfil this promise soon as well."
In response, Modi assured that his government stands by its commitments.
“This is Modi… Modi fulfils his promise…at the right time,” Modi said, indirectly referring to the statehood issue. The erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state was downgraded into two union territories-J&K and Ladakh after the abrogation of Article 370, which gave a special status to the erstwhile state, by the PM Modi-led BJP government at the Centre on August 5, 2019.
"Whatever we start, we will also inaugurate it,” responding to the J&K CM's reference to his tenure as CM when the foundation stone of Z-Morh (Sonmarg) tunnel was laid in 2012”.
“I was the CM. Due to some challenges work didn't start on the project. I'm fortunate enough today PM Modi along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari opened a new hope for the people of J&K," Omar said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also spoke at the event, praised PM Modi for transforming the region and ending militancy. "The government led by Prime Minister Modi has wiped out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir and turned it into a real paradise. Peace, progress, and prosperity have become the hallmarks of his leadership," Sinha said.
He described the Z-Morh tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore, as a “game changer” and a "Bhagya Rekha" (lifeline) for the region, emphasising how it will enable year-round connectivity to Sonamarg.
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the massive infrastructure push in the region under PM Modi’s leadership.
"Under PM Modi's vision, a total of 33 tunnels are being constructed in J&K, with 15 already completed. Good roads lead to a progressive nation, and this tunnel marks a significant milestone," Gadkari said. He noted that the upcoming Zojila tunnel, initially estimated to cost Rs 12,000 crore, is now being built for Rs 6,800 crore, saving Rs 5,000 crore in public funds.
Omar, while praising the tunnel project, also paid tribute to the seven workers, including a doctor, who lost their lives in a militant attack at the tunnel site in Gagangir last year during its construction. “Their sacrifice for this project and the nation’s progress must not be forgotten. Unfortunately, for 35 years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have made sacrifices for the nation’s development,” Omar said.
PM Modi concluded his speech by reaffirming his government's developmental focus, citing Rs 42,000 crore in road projects across J&K and a tenfold rise in tourist footfall in the last decade.
"Kashmir is the crown of India, and I want this crown to become even more beautiful. This tunnel is not just infrastructure but a symbol of growth, peace, and new opportunities," the PM said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition political parties took potshots at Omar Abdullah for his speech at the Z-Morh tunnel inauguration. The Opposition leaders were angry with Omar Abdullah for not mentioning the abrogation of Article 370 and its restoration.
Peoples Democratic Party president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti called Omar a shortsighted politician. Mehbooba shared a clip of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of his Kashmir visit when he spoke about Jamhooriyat, Kashmiriyat and Insanity.
These three words of Vajpayee created a political goodwill for the late PM among mainstream political parties, especially the PDP, which was in coalition with Congress then.
"Difference between a shortsighted politician & a true statesman. In 2003 then BJP PM Vajpayee during his visit to Srinagar showed great faith in Mufti sahab’s vision of peace with dignity even though PDP had a mere 16 MLAs. Today our CM despite 50 MLAs did everything to appease & normalise Delhi’s unilateral actions in August 2019 that cleaved & robbed J&K of its special status," Mehbooba wrote on X.
Sajad Lone, president of Peoples Conference and legislator censured Omar for his clear weather remark for Modi. "Here is our CM sahib. Grinning from ear to ear. Happy. That clouds have made way for PM sahib. This clip is a gift to all those who propagated his 'All others are BJP' discourse," Lone wrote on X. (With inputs from Mir Farhat)
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