Rechristen Navyug Tunnel as Dr Manmohan Singh tunnel: CM Omar

Srinagar, Dec 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said that the Navyug tunnel connecting Qazigund with Banihal on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway should be dedicated to the late Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Talking to reporters here, the J&K Chief Minister, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the late Prime Minister did a lot for Jammu and Kashmir.

"Four laning of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was taken up during Dr Manmohan Singh's regime. Today the distance between Jammu and Srinagar is covered within 5 hours and it's his contribution."

The Chief Minister said that the Navyug Tunnel should be rechristened as Dr Manmohan Singh tunnel. "Let anyone take the credit for new tunnels on the highway but we should remember that process to develop Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was initiated by the late Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh."

The Chief Minister termed Dr Manmohan Singh as a true statesman and said his contribution towards J&K will be remembered forever. "It was during Dr Singh's regime that Round Table Conference was held on Kashmir, interlocutors were appointed, cross LoC trade was started, special scholarship scheme for J&K students was introduced,  concrete steps were taken for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and many other initiatives were taken  to accommodate J&K people.

He never spoke about his achievements but he will always be remembered as a true son of soil, "he added.