Jammu, April 2 Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary announced on Thursday that a tunnel connecting the Machil sector to the hinterland at Z-Gali in Kupwara has been approved to provide all-weather connectivity to residents along the border.
Responding to a question raised by National Conference legislator, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone, in the Legislative Assembly, Choudhary said the tunnel was cleared under the "Other than Capital Acquisition" head, with a Detailed Project Report (DPR) currently being prepared for its inclusion in the Annual Works Plan (AWP) 2026-27.
He said that the Machil area experiences heavy snowfall during the winter months, which affects connectivity and poses difficulties for residents.
"An institutional mechanism is in place to address essential requirements during winters, with advance planning and necessary arrangements made to ensure the availability of basic services, including healthcare and essential supplies, for people in remote areas," he said.
The deputy chief minister said that representations for the construction of a tunnel to link Lolab in Kupwara with the Bandipora district have been received from the local population, citing its strategic and connectivity importance.
