WILL KEEP PROMISES: PM TO J&K AT SONAMARG TUNNEL LAUNCH

'This is Modi, 'wada karta hai to nibhata hai'. There's a time for everything, and all things will happen in due course.'

- AJAY JANDYAL

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, indirectly addressing demands for the restoration of statehood voiced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Speaking at a public gathering after inaugurating the strategically important 6.4-km Sonamarg Tunnel, built at a cost of 2,700 crore, Modi said, "You have to believe that this is Modi, and he keeps his promises. The right things will happen at the right time."

Abdullah, in his address earlier, emphasized the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, recalling Modi's promise before the assembly elections last September. "My heart believes that you will fulfill this promise soon," he said.

Abdullah also referenced Modi's remarks from International Yoga Day last year, where the Prime Minister spoke about reducing both the "distance between hearts" and the "distance from Delhi" with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "With projects like this tunnel, not only the physical distance but also the emotional gap is being bridged," Abdullah added.