PM Modi inaugurates India's longest road tunnel in J&K: As it happened

PM Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated India's longest tunnel Chenani-Nashri, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway amid high security on Sunday. Here are all the LIVE updates:-

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated India's longest tunnel Chenani-Nashri, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway amid high security on Sunday. He also addressed a public meeting on the occasion. Here are all the LIVE updates:-

- I want to specially thank CM Mehbooba Mufti. The Centre announced a package for the state and work has begun on the same: PM

- We will not only build a network of roads, but a network of hearts too: PM 

- Some misguided youngsters are pelting stones but see here, youth of Kashmir are using the same stones to build infrastructure: PM

- PM Modi hits out at Pakistan, says a country which cannot manage its own affairs is meddling in ours

- No one profited from terrorism, it only made Kashmir bleed, says PM Modi 

- The path of bloodshed has not helped any one and will never help anyone: PM Narendra Modi in Udhampur

- Whenever I come to Jammu and Kashmir, it is natural to remember the vision and work of Atal Bihari Vajpayee: PM 

- Our sole mantra is development and the way we want to achieve that is through Jan Bhagidari. We want to involve the youth: PM

- PM Modi invokes former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, recalls his call for Kashmiriyat, Insaniyaat and Zamuriyaat

- Every Indian wants to see Jammu and Kashmir. The beauty of this land can draw so many people. Tourism will also bring economic growth: PM

- It's not just the longest tunnel, it's the longest leap towards development for the state of J&K: PM Modi

- This tunnel is environment friendly and this tunnel will help in the fight against global warming: PM 

- Youth of J&K worked very hard in the making of Chenani-Nashri tunnel. I congratulate them for this: PM

- Chenani-Nashri tunnel a big leap for development in Jammu and Kashmir, says PM Modi 

- Some misguided youth in Kashmir are busy pelting stones, while other Kashmiri youth use stones for development: PM Modi in Udhampur

- Another advantage of this tunnel is that tourists will benefit due to this: PM

- Every Indian wants to see Jammu and Kashmir. The beauty of this land can draw so many people. Tourism will also bring economic growth: PM

- This tunnel will ensure that the farm produce reaches the markets without getting spoiled due to bad weather: PM Modi

- Youth of Kashmir have a choice to select one of the two paths - one of tourism the other of terrorism: PM - It's a big development push by PM in Kashmir Valley

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates India's longest tunnel Chenani-Nashri

PM Modi dedicates the Chenani - Nashri Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir to the nation. Watch. https://t.co/Iy8hu3Nre5 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 2, 2017

- PM Narendra Modi reaches Udhampur, leaves for Chenani-Nashri for inauguration ceremony

Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the Prime Minister to Jammu and Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/rbjsRqOMhr — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 2, 2017

-The inauguration is likely to take place at 3 PM.

pic.twitter.com/rvhutA6nJ7 — MORTHINDIA (@MORTHIndia) April 2, 2017

- The tunnel is expected to give sigh of relief to travellers on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, as it will reduce the travel time on National Highway 44 between Jammu and Srinagar by about 2 hours by shortening the distance between the cities by 31 km.

-The Prime Minister will be dedicating the 9.2-km-long tunnel to the nation later on Sunday.

Some pictures of Chenani-Nashri tunnel that will be inaugurated tomorrow by Hon'ble PM @narendramodi in Jammu & Kashmir pic.twitter.com/ZyGgy874jz — Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) April 1, 2017

- Chenani-Nashri tunnel, will bypass three major stations - Kud, Patnitop and Batote - on the highway.

- The tunnel, built at the cost of Rs 2,500 crore in a record time of 5 and a half years by Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) Ltd, is located at an altitude of 1,200 metres (nearly 4,000 feet) in difficult Himalayan terrain.

- The estimated daily fuel savings are to the tune of Rs. 27 lakhs.

-Besides avoiding large scale deforestation and tree-cutting, the tunnel will provide a safe, all-weather route to commuters travelling from Jammu and Udhampur, to Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar.

-The tunnel is equipped with world-class security systems, and is expected to boost tourism and economic activities in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Features of the tunnel:

• It is a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35 metre carriageway, and a vertical clearance of 5 metres.

• There is also a parallel escape tunnel, with "Cross Passages" connecting to the main tunnel at intervals of 300 metres.

• It also has smart features such as an Integrated Traffic Control System; Surveillance, Ventilation and Broadcast Systems; Fire Fighting System; and SOS call-boxes at every 150 metres.

Union Minister for road and transport Nitin Gadkari yesterday said that it is for the first time that a Prime Minister was devoting India's longest tunnel to Jammu and Kashmir and the people of India.

"It is a historical event and this tunnel is the heart of the state. It will reduce the distance between Jammu and Kashmir. Every day, fuel worth Rs. 28 lakh will be saved. Also, it will save 2 hours. This will work as an engine in the development of Jammu and Kashmir. I hope that the people of the Valley will accept it. Hurriyat should also extend its support if something this big is happening in the state," Gadkari told ANI.