Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the people have been eagerly waiting for the inauguration of the 6.4Km long Z-Morh tunnel and said it would further boost tourism at Sonamarg.
The Chief Minister revealed this while talking to the media at Gulmarg.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the strategic Z-Morh tunnel at the picturesque Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal District on Monday.
Asked how he is feeling about Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Kashmir on Monday to inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel Abdullah said “it is good and I welcome the Prime Minister”.
“.. People were eagerly waiting for the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel especially those living near the Sonamarg and those people who were travelling Kargil and Leh by road and by the inauguration of the tunnel, it will ease their travel in future”.
“Now we are waiting for the Zojila tunnel connecting Ladakh which will be completed within a few years”, Abdullah said..
Chief minister said with the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel by the Prime Minister at Sonamarg tomorrow, the place could be developed for a wonderful winter destination.
“My utmost attempt would be to prepare Sonamarg for a winter destination like Gulmarg during the next five years”, Omar said.
In reply to another question, Omar said “for the time being we cannot think of conducting international events in Gulmarg as the slopes here are not prepared for that kind of standard”.
“We need to build our slopes and then we will be able to host international events in Gulmarg”, Omar said and added “there is dire need to increase the infrastructure at Gulmarg to make it at international standard.
Regarding Khelo India Winter Games Edition, Omar said “it is a good sign that for the 5th consecutive year the Khelo India Winter games are being held at Gulmarg at the end of February. We have time to prepare ourselves for the event and hope the almighty will pour some more snow here so that the event can be held with joy and pride”.
Omar said skiing on the slopes of Gulmarg is enjoyable but some more snowfall is needed on them. “It is not easy to ski on such a less snow at Gulmarg as at places stones are visible that make it difficult for skiers to move”.
He said during the coming summer the slopes in Gulmarg would be fixed to give them good shape so that skiing during the winter could be conducted easily.
He said a convention centre would come up at Gulmarg soon which will help to conduct major events in this tourist destination.
“As you see the leaders from around the world are visiting Davos in Switzerland to gossip there…Ok if not possible to Davos, come to Gulmarg, if not possible for the international leaders, at least the leaders within the country should visit and use the infrastructure here”, Omar asks.
“…come to Kashmir and enjoy our hospitality besides entertaining yourself with the beauty here and go back with creating good memories from here”, Omar said while giving a message to the visiting tourists.
UNI
