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PM Modi to inaugurate Z-Morh Tunnel on Jan 13, boosting all-weather connectivity in J&K

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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.

Crime

Thane Police Crack Dombivli Bar Murder Case Within 24 Hours, Arrest Six Accused After Film-Style Chase In Nashik

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Dombivli: In a shocking incident, a 38-year-old man was brutally murdered following a minor altercation outside a bar in Dombivli MIDC area. The Manpada Police cracked the case within 24 hours and arrested six accused from Nashik after a dramatic, film-style chase through narrow lanes.

The arrested accused have been identified as Amar Rajesh Mahajan (36), Akshay Kumar Shankar Waghle (26), Atul Balu Kamble (24), Nilesh Madhukar Thosar (42), Prateek Singh Prem Singh Chauhan (26), and Lokesh Nitin Chaudhary (24).

The incident took place around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 9, near the entrance of Malvan Kinara Bar and Restaurant in the MIDC Phase 2 area. The victim, Akash Bhanu Singh (38), was stabbed to death following a dispute over an accidental push.

According to the complaint filed by Akash’s younger brother, Badal Singh, who works at a call center in Navi Mumbai, Akash had gone to the bar with his friends for dinner. As they entered, Akshay Waghle accidentally brushed against him. Although Akash apologized and explained it was unintentional, Waghle became aggressive, assaulted him, and threatened to kill him.

Soon after, Waghle called his associates to the spot. The six accused dragged Akash out of the bar, brutally assaulted him on the road, and stabbed him multiple times, killing him on the spot. When Sunil Kagale, a bystander, tried to intervene, the gang attacked him with knives as well leaving him injured.

The case posed a major challenge for police, as there were no immediate clues or CCTV evidence from the crime scene. However, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Jende, Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Hemade, and Senior Police Inspector Sandipan Shinde, the Manpada police team launched an intensive investigation.

A team led by Assistant Police Inspectors Sampat Phadol, Mahesh Rale-bhat, and Sagar Chavan used technical surveillance and local informants to trace the accused to Nashik. Acting on a tip-off, police teams coordinated with Nashik City Police and raided multiple locations. On seeing the police, the accused tried to flee, but officers chased them down in a cinematic-style pursuit through the streets and successfully arrested all six.

Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre commended the Manpada Police team for their swift action and exemplary investigation that led to solving the murder case within 24 hours.

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Business

India, Canada discuss ways to boost bilateral trade, promote investments

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New Delhi, Nov 13: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, discussed ways to further boost bilateral trade and promote investments, it was announced on Thursday.

Sidhu is in India to find opportunities to advance trade and investment linkages between the two nations.

“It was a pleasure to co-chair the 7th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment as part of the New Roadmap 2025 along with @MSidhuLiberal, Canada’s Minister of International Trade,” Goyal posted on the X social media platform.

The minister further stated that they discussed “avenues to strengthen bilateral trade, promote investments and deepen cooperation between our countries”.

During his India visit, Sidhu is set to promote Canada’s commitment to supporting and growing the well-established commercial ties shared by Canada and India, including artificial intelligence, clean technology and digital industries, and explore new opportunities for partnerships that benefit workers and businesses in both countries.

“This visit to India will reinforce Canada’s commitment to diversifying our trade relationships and attracting new investment,” an official statement quoting Sidhu said. “As one of the fastest-growing major economies, India offers significant opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers. Our commercial ties continue to expand — bilateral trade surpassed $30 billion in 2024 — and there is even greater potential ahead,” the statement added.

India is a key partner as Canada strengthens its economic links in the Indo-Pacific region under a comprehensive strategy for the region. In 2024, India was Canada’s seventh-largest goods and services trading partner, with two-way trade valued at $30.9 billion.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, held discussions on strengthening cooperation across key sectors, including trade, energy and security. Both leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara.

EAM Jaishankar also praised the progress made under the New Roadmap 2025, aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between India and Canada and expressed hope for rebuilding a stronger partnership.

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Crime

Jharkhand: CBI arrests postal inspector and assistant red-handed for taking bribe

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New Delhi, Nov 13: In a major crackdown on corruption, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested a Postal Inspector and an Assistant from the main post office in Saraikela district headquarters, Jharkhand, while they were caught red-handed accepting a bribe.

The agency recovered cash and several incriminating documents during the operation. CBI officials are currently interrogating both accused.

According to sources, the CBI received a complaint alleging that the Postal Inspector and Assistant of the Saraikela Post Office had demanded a bribe from Ranjan Das, who had been selected for the post of Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS).

The officials allegedly asked for 20,000 in exchange for accepting his joining. Acting on the complaint, the CBI verified the information and laid a trap, successfully apprehending the duo while they were accepting the bribe.

Following the arrest, the CBI conducted searches at the post office premises and at the residences of the accused officers.

During these searches, officials recovered cash, official documents, and papers related to suspected financial transactions, all of which have been seized for further investigation.

The agency is also probing whether other postal employees or officials were involved in the bribery network. Preliminary findings suggest that complaints about irregularities in recruitment and document verification at the post office had been reported earlier.

Both accused are being questioned at the CBI’s regional office in Ranchi.

After completing the necessary formalities, they will be produced before a special CBI court.

This marks the second such action by the CBI in Jharkhand within a week.

Just five days ago, the agency’s Anti-Corruption Branch arrested Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) HR officer Deepak Giri in Khilari for allegedly accepting a Rs 50,000 bribe.

Giri had reportedly demanded Rs 1.5 lakh from complainant Roshan Kumar in exchange for a compassionate appointment following his father’s death earlier this year.

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