Centre to develop Rs 2 lakh crore road works in Jammu and Kashmir: Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari has said that highway infrastructure development work worth about Rs 2 lakh crore is under implementation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which would further enhance connectivity of the area.

In the Question Hour in Lok Sabha on Thursday, he stated that the government is aiming to upgrade 25,000 km of national highways from two lanes to four lanes in the next two years.

70 percent work of Asia's longest Zojila tunnel completed

Gadkari further informed that nearly 70 percent work of Asia's longest Zojila tunnel being developed in Jammu and Kashmir is complete. The tunnel, under development to ensure round-the-year connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh, will be developed at a cost of more than Rs 5,500 crore.

The project entails the development of over 13-km-long tunnel and 17-km-long approach road, which collectively will achieve a total connectivity of over 30 km.

 Jammu and Kashmir to get 105 tunnels

The minister informed that in road connectivity development, 105 tunnels are being built in Jammu and Kashmir. Of these, 22 tunnels have already been completed, while 14 tunnels are being built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

Opposition motion for discussion on judiciary rejected

Today in the session of Congress MP Manish Tewari tabled an adjournment motion to raise the so-called deviations of the superior judiciary. He asserted that there was apprehension in the legal fraternity and among the common citizenry regarding some activities of the judiciary.

But Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla disallowed the opposition's motion. He stated that the opposition MPs sought a debate over the "unusual activities" of the judiciary, which was unacceptable.

Nitin Gadkari's announcement makes it clear that the government is investing heavily in the development of infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, which will have a positive impact on economic growth as well as communication.