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Kashmir is crown of India, roadblocks in its progress to be removed, says PM Modi

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Sonamarg (J&K), Jan 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that Kashmir is the crown of the country, and he desires that this crown should shine better and become more glorious in the days to come.

The Prime Minister said this after inaugurating and dedicating the Sonamarg tunnel to the nation.

PM Modi started his speech by lauding the hard work of the workers who worked to make the Sonamarg tunnel possible and were not deterred from giving the supreme sacrifice.

He offered tribute to civilian workers, who laid down their lives during the construction of the tunnel he inaugurated. He said despite the grave danger to their lives, no worker wanted to go home after the terrorists attacked the Gagangir workers camp. “Nobody wanted to go home even after we lost seven friends to terrorism. My tribute to those martyrs who gave their lives for the country.”

“Kashmir is the crown of India and it is my desire that this crown should become more shining and glorious. In this endeavour, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are helping me. I assure you that any roadblock in the way of realising your dreams will be removed,” the PM assured the people.

He said two days back Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had uploaded some pictures and videos around the tunnel. By seeing those, my eagerness to be here increased. “When I worked here as a BJP worker, I have spent a lot of time in Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Ganderbal and Baramulla. It used to snow heavily even in those days. But, the warmth of the people of J&K did not make you feel the cold. Today is a great day, crores of people are taking part in the Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh. Lohri is being celebrated in Punjab. This is the period of the 40-day intense cold of ‘Chillai Kalan’, which people face with a smile in Kashmir. People are coming to Sonamarg from different parts of the country and enjoy your hospitality,” said PM Modi.

“I recently inaugurated the Jammu rail division. Today I have dedicated Sonamarg tunnel to the country and the people of J&K and Ladakh,” he said.

Referring to Omar Abdullah’s demand for statehood, PM Modi said, “Modi always fulfils his promise. Every promise will be fulfilled at the right time. Every decision has a proper time when it is taken,” the PM said.

“This tunnel was started by us, and it is my decision that whatever work we start we must also inaugurate. Sonamarg and the entire area here will get a great boost. In days to come, road and railway projects will be completed. The Valley will soon be connected through railways. New roads, colleges, etc., it will be a ‘Naya Kashmir’ that we have been speaking about,” said the PM.

“In 2040, India will be a developed nation and no family, no area of the country will be left out in that developed India. In the last 10 years, over four crore poor people got concrete houses. In days to come, three crore more people will get new homes. Free healthcare given in the country is beneficial to the people of J&K as well. New IITs, AIIMS, educational institutions, polytechnics, etc., are being opened. Today you have a good road from J&K to Arunachal Pradesh. The world’s highest tunnel, highest railway bridge, and highest cable bridge are also being built in J&K. Ropeways to Shankaracharya temple, and ropeways to other places will be completed in J&K. These projects will make J&K the most connected place in the country. Through better connectivity, hitherto unexplored tourist destinations will be opened up.,” the PM said in his address.

“Peace in J&K has given great dividends. Over two crore tourists came to J&K in 2024. Everybody connected with tourism has benefitted. Our Kashmir is regaining its glory of being the paradise on earth. People go to enjoy ice cream in Lal Chowk in the evening. Polo View market has become a hub of modern activity. People go with families to cinemas. The situation could out have improved without the participation of the people, no government could have done it without the people’s support. There was an international marathon in Srinagar in which the chief minister also participated. I greeted him for that when he met me in Delhi. After 40 years, international cricket was held in Srinagar. We saw car racing in Srinagar. Gulmarg will host the 5th Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg next month,” PM Modi said.

He said that there are greater and better avenues being thrown open for the youth of the union territory. The local youth will not need to go out for better education in the days to come.

The PM said that the J&K bank has crossed Rs 2.30 lakh crore business and this has increased the lending capacity of the bank. “The dark past of J&K has now changed into the future of prosperity and progress,” the PM said.

Before the PM’s address, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addressed the public rally. He said to make a self-reliant India, we have to ensure road connectivity and infrastructure development.

“US President John F Kennedy said that American roads are good not because America is rich, but America is rich because American roads are good. After completing the 6.4 km long Rs 2,700 crore Sonamarg tunnel, we are also completing the Rs 6,800 crore Zojila tunnel. Ladakh will have all-season connectivity after the Zojila tunnel is completed,” Gadkari said.

He also referred to various corridors being made in J&K and gave details of projects completed in the UT. He spoke of ring roads in Valley and Jammu division.

The Minister said the distance from Delhi to Srinagar will be completed in 7 to 8 hours within one year. “This will, Hon’ble PM, realise your promise of cutting the distance between Dili and Srinagar,” he said.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to seven civilians, who were killed by terrorists on October 20 last year in Gagangir. “Hon’ble PM you have realised the dreams depicted in textbooks by restoring the peace and dignity of the people in J&K. This place is no longer known for terrorism, but for tourism now. By giving reservations to underprivileged classes you have ensured equitable progress and opportunities to the people of J&K. Today, you have inaugurated and dedicated the Rs 2,700 crore tunnel. This tunnel will be the line of good luck and fortune on the hand of J&K. Connectivity to Ladakh will also become a reality in 2026,” he said.

“Projects over Rs 1.50 lakh crore of roads and infrastructure are currently being completed in J&K. 99 per cent villages of the UT have road connectivity now. Soon the dream of national integration from Kashmir to Kanyakumari will be realised through Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. For realising the dreams of every citizen of J&K, I thank you Hon’ble Prime Minister from the depth of my heart,” the Lt Governor said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered the welcome address. He paid tribute to seven civilians killed by terrorists in the Gagangir area on October 20. He also mentioned people killed during the last 35 years by terrorists, including leaders and workers of his party, the National Conference (NC).

“Your August presence, Hon’ble Prime Minister is proof of the fact that we will not allow forces inimical to the unity and integrity of the country to succeed,” the CM said.

He said people waited for long years for the Sonamarg tunnel and the people living in otherwise cut-off Sonamarg will not have to abandon their homes during the winter months now.

The CM lauded the efforts of the Prime Minister for ensuring peace on the borders in J&K. He said the PM’s mission of ending ‘Dil Ki Doori, Aur Dili Se Doori’ is being proved through the PM’s efforts. He praised the PM for ensuring peaceful, fair elections in J&K.

He hoped the PM would soon ensure statehood for J&K so that the UT gets its rightful place in the union of Indian states.

Business

Mumbai Infra News: MHADA Selects Firm For Kamathipura Redevelopment Project, Awaits State Nod

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Mumbai: In a major step toward transforming one of Mumbai’s oldest and most congested neighbourhoods, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has selected AATK Constructions for the long-pending redevelopment of Kamathipura in South Central Mumbai. The project, spread over 34 acres, has now moved to the state government’s high-power committee (HPC) for approval before it goes to the state cabinet for final clearance.

MHADA’s Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) had received two bids, one from AATK Constructions and another from J Kumar Infraprojects. After a detailed evaluation of technical and financial aspects, MHADA declared AATK the successful bidder and forwarded the proposal to the HPC for consideration.

“This urban renewal project will be a historic one,” said MLA Amin Patel, who has been advocating for Kamathipura’s redevelopment for more than a decade. “Bringing landlords, tenants and the government to a consensus was not easy, but this plan will finally offer a dignified living space to thousands.

The Kamathipura Redevelopment Project covers 8,001 tenements, including 6,625 residential and 1,376 commercial units, spread across 943 cessed buildings and involving 800 landowners. Most of these structures are over a century old and beyond repair, with many plots measuring only 50 sq metres, making independent redevelopment unfeasible.

Under the proposed plan, eligible residential occupants will receive 500 sq ft carpet area flats in new towers up to 57 storeys high, while non-residential tenants will get 225 sq ft spaces. Sale buildings will rise to 78 storeys, creating a mixed-use skyline that combines residential, commercial and sale components.

The redevelopment is expected to replace dilapidated tenements with modern high-rise structures equipped with amenities and better infrastructure. Landowners will also benefit from additional entitlements based on plot sizes, with larger plots earning proportionally higher returns.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while addressing the Assembly earlier, acknowledged the significance of the project, noting that he had worked ‘for the people of Kamathipura.’ The state government had earlier entrusted the redevelopment responsibility to MHADA’s MBRRB under the Construction and Development (C&D) format after private developers expressed disinterest due to the complex ownership patterns.

Once approved by the HPC and cabinet, the long-awaited transformation of Kamathipura is expected to finally take off, turning one of Mumbai’s most dilapidated localities into a modern, livable urban zone.

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Crime

Navi Mumbai: Copper Wires Stolen From Streetlight Poles, 2,880 Meters Missing; One Thief Nabbed Near Thane-Belapur Road

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Navi Mumbai: After receiving several complaints from residents about non-functional streetlights, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) discovered that copper wires from dozens of streetlight poles along the Vashi Link Road and Thane-Belapur Highway had been stolen. The thefts had plunged several stretches into darkness, raising safety concerns among commuters.

During intensified inspection rounds, workers from M/s Chaitanya Electricals, the agency responsible for streetlight maintenance, caught two men red-handed on October 27 stealing copper wires from poles near Kokilaben Hospital on Thane-Belapur Road. While one suspect fled, the other was detained with 48 meters of stolen wire. A formal FIR was lodged at the Turbhe Police Station.

According to NMMC’s Electrical Department, each streetlight pole contains around 48 meters of copper wire. Preliminary checks revealed that wires had been stolen from about 60 poles—approximately 2,880 meters in total. The large-scale thefts had disrupted power supply to several streetlights, particularly under the Belapur Flyover and near bus stops in Vashi village, where citizens had frequently complained of poor lighting and unsafe conditions.

Taking the matter seriously, City Engineer Shirish Aradwad and Executive Engineer Pravin Gade directed teams to increase surveillance and carry out frequent patrols in vulnerable areas. The swift action helped in nabbing one of the culprits, who was handed over to the Turbhe Police. Further investigation is underway.

An NMMC official said, “Theft of copper wires not only causes huge financial losses but also endangers public safety. We have stepped up monitoring and appeal to citizens to immediately report any suspicious activity near streetlight poles.”

Residents have been urged to contact the civic body’s toll-free helplines 1800-222-309 or 1800-222-310 to report such incidents and assist in maintaining the city’s infrastructure.

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National News

Mumbai Police, Citizens Join ‘Run for Unity’ Honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; CM Devendra Fadnavis Pays Floral Tribute To Iron Man Of India

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis led Mumbai’s Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on Friday, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India. Fadnavis humbly offered floral tributes to India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna at his official residence in Mumbai, honouring the leader’s monumental contribution to national unity and integration.

Mumbai witnessed several Run for Unity events that brought together citizens, police personnel, and local leaders in a collective display of patriotism.

The Mumbai Traffic Police flagged off their unity run from the Traffic Police Headquarters to Shaheed Tukaram Omble Chowk,“Run for the Nation. Run for Unity. Today on the occasion of #RashtriyaEktaDiwas, the #RunForUnity was organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India.”

The MIDC Police Station in Andheri also organised a Run for Unity, covering the route from MIDC Police Station to Power Grid House and back.

Sharing glimpses of the event on social media, the station stated that police officers, personnel, and prominent citizens enthusiastically participated to celebrate Patel’s legacy of national integration and unity. The initiative underlined how Patel’s vision continues to inspire discipline, strength, and togetherness among citizens.

The DCP Zone 2, Mumbai, held a similar unity run within its jurisdiction. Officers, staff, and residents joined in large numbers, echoing slogans of solidarity. The zone’s post on X read,

“On the occasion of #EktaDiwas & the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a ‘Run for Unity’ was organised in Zone 2, Mumbai. Police officers, personnel and prominent citizens took part in the event, celebrating his legacy of national integration & unity.”

Beyond the police-led runs, schools, government offices, and civic bodies across Mumbai marked the occasion with pledges for unity, discussions on Sardar Patel’s leadership, and patriotic programmes. Citizens paid homage to the man who played a crucial role in unifying over 500 princely states post-Independence, ensuring the territorial integrity of modern India.

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