Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir by kickstarting Asia’s longest Zojila Tunnel, part of Rs 25,000 crore projects to be unveiled or dedicated to the nation on Saturday, saying it showed New Delhi’s commitment to the all-round development of the state.
Addressing a large congregation gathered in Leh ground for the closing ceremony for the birth centenary celebration of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the prime minister said the tunnel would help in connecting the region with the rest of the country, a dream of the Buddhist spiritual guru.
The Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National highway and remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall, cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir.
