Ganderbal, Jan 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on January 13 to inaugurate the Z-Morh Tunnel, a key infrastructure project designed to provide all-weather connectivity to the scenic hill station of Sonamarg.

According to official sources, the Z-Morh Tunnel, a 6.5-kilometre-long, two-lane road tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg, will bypass the avalanche-prone Gagangir-Sonamarg road.

The tunnel is named after the ‘Z-shaped’ stretch of road it replaces, drastically reducing travel time to just 15 minutes compared to hours along the previous route.

A local resident expressed his gratitude, stressing the importance of the route for enhancing connectivity in winter.

“It is very important, after its construction, the Sonamarg-Ladakh road will now remain open throughout the year. Since Ladakh is a border area, therefore, for Defence, the normal goods that had to be transported by air, could now be transported by road after the construction and opening of this tunnel. So, this is very important,” he said.

“People are happy, and we thank the Central government. The Prime Minister is going to inaugurate it on January 13. The Central government, especially Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, has taken many initiatives with this,” he added.

The tunnel, along with the adjacent Zoji-La Tunnel, is strategically vital for providing weather-proof connectivity to areas like Baltal (Amarnath Cave), Kargil, and Ladakh. The infrastructure will not only enhance military logistics but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, creating employment opportunities for the local youth.

Started in 2018, the Z-Morh Tunnel is one of 31 road tunnels being developed in the region — 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh.

The project, however, faced tragic challenges, including a terror attack on October 20, 2024, when two terrorists stormed the workers’ camp at Gagangir, killing seven civilians, including six non-local workers and a local doctor.

The Z-Morh Tunnel’s inauguration marks a milestone in improving connectivity and fostering development in the region, further reinforcing its geostrategic and economic significance.

Midnapore: A pregnant woman died on Friday at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal’s Paschim Midnapore. The family members of the deceased raised serious concerns about the saline given to the woman. The deceased has been identified as Mamoni Das. Meanwhile, five others are critically ill. A 10-member enquiry committee was formed by the West Bengal Health Department.

The committee will reportedly visit the hospital on Saturday. The action was taken after the family of the deceased lodged a complaint with the police. Meanwhile, the health department directed the authorities to replace all the existing saline stock. A detailed report has also been sought from the principal of the medical college. The state health officials also demanded an explanation on reports of using expired saline.

The woman gave birth to a baby on Wednesday. She was shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after her condition deteriorated. Das breathed her last on Friday. She was 21 years old. The incident drew strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.

The saffron party raised questions on the health facilities under the Mamata Banerjee government in the state. “Shame on the crumbling healthcare system in West Bengal under the disastrous regime of @MamataOfficial! A pregnant woman DIED after being given EXPIRED saline at a govt hospital in Midnapore, and several others now fight for their lives,” the BJP said in its official X post.

This is the price mothers pay under your so-called “development”? Your negligence has turned hospitals into death traps! West Bengal deserves accountability, not your hollow promises and PR stunts. How much more blood will stain your hands, @MamataOfficial?” it added.

The husband of a critically ill woman told the media house that Das stopped passing out urine after giving birth to the baby and was then shifted to the ICU. He alleged that the medical college staff gave the wrong saline.

A large police contingent has reportedly been deployed outside the hospital to avoid any untoward incident.

Ludhiana, Jan 11: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from the Ludhiana West constituency in Punjab, Gurpreet Gogi Bassi, was declared dead after being shot with bullet injuries late Friday and was declared dead upon arrival at the DMC hospital, police said.

However, the family of the MLA claims he accidentally shot himself and sustained bullet injuries resulting in several head injuries.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jaskaran Singh Teja said, “As per the family members, he shot himself accidentally and sustained bullet injuries to his head. Gurpreet Gogi was declared dead at the hospital, his body has been kept at the mortuary in the DMC hospital.”

Additionally, the DCP mentioned that the cause of death would be determined once the post-mortem report is received.

“Cause of the death will be clear once the post-mortem reports come..” the DCP further added.

The incident occurred around Friday midnight, and the MLA was declared dead upon arrival at DMC hospital, according to officials.

The MLA’s death was confirmed by district AAP President Sharanpal Singh Makkar and the Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Singh Chahal.

“The incident happened around midnight, and he was declared dead when he was brought to the DMC hospital…” said DCP Jaskaran Singh.

Further investigations are underway. Gogi joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2022 and defeated two-time former Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu during the Ludhiana Assembly elections.

His wife Sukhchain Kaur Gogi was also a contestant in the Municipal Corporation elections but lost to Congress candidate Inderjit Singh Indi.

In August 2024, Gurpreet Bassi Gogi destroyed the foundation stone of a pipeline project in Buddha Nullah, for which he laid the foundation stone in 2022.

Gogi had expressed frustration over the delays in the project and Speaker Sandhwan had promised strict action against any hindrance to the clean-up project in response to the AAP MLA’s grievances.

Before his death, on Friday, he also visited Prachin Sheetla Mata Mandir and promised devotees that he would take action against a gang of burglars who had stolen silver from the temple two days ago.