Srinagar, June 23, KDC: In a development being touted as a historic infrastructure push for Jammu and Kashmir, a political storm is brewing over who gets the credit for the ₹10,637 crore mega road and tunnel package cleared by the Centre for the Union Territory.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, led by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, sanctioned 19 high-impact projects under the National Highways plan for 2025–26 — including the much-anticipated Peer Ki Gali and Sadhana tunnels, Zaznar-Shopian section, Trehgam-Chamkote stretch, the 4-lane Lal Chowk to Parimpora flyover, and Qazigund bypass, among others.
The official communication from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 5:46 PM, expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and Union Minister Gadkari, stating:
“Extremely grateful to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji & Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji for giving approval to 19 mega road and tunnel projects for J&K UT worth Rs.10,637 Crore… Projects will improve infrastructure in UT & connect various tourist destinations. Construction of tunnels will reduce travel time, ensure all-weather connectivity & spur economic growth.“
While the LG administration projected the approval as part of its strategic roadmap, the elected J&K government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was quick to stake its claim — triggering a narrative duel that laid bare the tensions in J&K’s post-assembly dual governance model.
At 6:24 PM, the Chief Minister’s Office also posted on X:
“The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Union Minister for approving projects worth ₹10,637 crore. He stated that the J&K Government will work in close coordination with the Ministry to ensure timely execution of these vital infrastructure projects.“
That was soon followed by a tweet from the JKNC official handle at 6:45 PM, declaring:
“Under the leadership of J&K CM @OmarAbdullah, our government has successfully convinced the Government of India to take up key infrastructure projects like the Mughal Road tunnel and the tunnel to Tangdhar.“
Finally, Omar Abdullah’s personal post at 6:53 PM added political weight, stating:
“In a major achievement, my government has got ₹10,600 crores worth of road & tunnel projects approved by the Union Government. I’m grateful to PM @narendramodi ji & Minister @nitin_gadkari ji for their continued support as we try to steer J&K on a path of progress, development & connectivity.“
Who Gets the Credit?
The flurry of posts from both Raj Bhawan and Gupkar reflects a growing power recalibration in J&K following the restoration of its elected assembly. While the LG-led administration seeks to assert continuity with Central governance, the Omar-led government is positioning itself as a stakeholder with agency, not merely a beneficiary.
Observers say the LG’s preemptive tweet at 5:46 PM, ahead of any political response, was a strategic signal of authority. But the close succession of posts from the CMO and Omar Abdullah brings into focus an assertive bid to reclaim policy narrative space in a domain previously monopolized by the Centre.
“This is not just about roads or tunnels,” said a senior political analyst. “It’s about political symbolism, about who steers J&K’s development — the elected representatives or the Centre’s appointees.”
Despite the political jockeying, the project itself marks a watershed moment in J&K’s connectivity blueprint. Tunnels like Peer Ki Gali and Sadhana Pass promise year-round access to far-flung and border-sensitive areas, boosting tourism, troop movement, and economic activity.
