Unique moment for nation! Chenani-Nashari Tunnel renamed after Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee

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 2500 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 6000 crore worth of road projects have been taken up in the state during the last five years. These 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.

 

The Minister announced plans for construction of a new road alignment between Delhi and Katra in Jammu, which will reduce the travel time upto 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.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this is a unique moment for the country. 66 years ago, Dr. Mookerjee was arrested illegally from Lakhanpur, and was taken to Srinagar through Chenani Nashari. Dr. Mookerjee was a sitting member of Lok Sabha at that time. The naming of this tunnel after Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee is a tribute to him and coming generations will remember this day in future, said the Minister. 

 

Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this is a tribute to the struggle of workers, and redeems Dr. Mookerjee’s pledge of ‘Ek Vidhaan, Ek Nishaan, Ek Pradhan.’ He added that the region has seen a lot of development under the Narendra Modi led Government. About 2 dozen bridges have been constructed in Udhampur.