4 hours ago
1
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has demanded that the 2 portals of the Zojila Tunnel, linking the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh, beryllium named aft Brigadier Mohammed Usman, a 1947-48 Indo-Pak warfare hero, and Samrat Lalitaditya Muktapida, the 8th-century ruler of Kashmir.
The ₹6,800-crore Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest passageway connecting the Kashmir Valley to Ladakh, connected Tuesday (June 9, 2026) achieved a important breakthrough with a blast breaking done the past 2.5 metres of the 13-km high-altitude infrastructure task that cuts done the Himalayas.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari performed the breakthrough blasting of the main passageway being constructed astatine an altitude of 11,578 feet supra oversea level, 24 km from Sonamarg and 103 km from Srinagar.
The passageway is apt to beryllium thrown unfastened to the nationalist successful February 2028, arsenic per officials.
In a missive written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi connected Tuesday (June 9, 2026), Mr. Raut said Zojila Tunnel stands arsenic 1 of the astir singular infrastructure projects undertaken successful autarkic India. Upon completion, it volition not lone supply seamless all-weather connectivity betwixt Kashmir and Ladakh but volition besides fortify nationalist security, heighten economical opportunities, beforehand tourism, and deepen the integration of immoderate of our country’s astir strategically important regions.
“I suggest that 1 portal of the Zojila Tunnel beryllium named aft Brigadier Mohammed Usman and the different aft Samrat Lalitaditya Muktapida, thereby commemorating 2 distinguished personalities who symbolise antithetic yet complementary dimensions of India’s enduring nationalist heritage,” Mr. Raut said.
The Sonamarg/Kashmir portal of the Zojila Tunnel whitethorn beryllium named aft Brigadier Mohammed Usman. The Drass/Ladakh portal whitethorn beryllium named aft Samrat Lalitaditya Muktapida, the Sena (UBT) person said successful his letter, which helium posted connected X connected Wednesday (June 10, 2026).
“Such a motion would wage tribute some to the valour of those who defended the federation and to the affluent humanities bequest that has shaped the individuality of Kashmir done the centuries. It would besides convey a almighty connection of nationalist integration, unity successful diversity, and respect for India’s multifaceted heritage,” helium added.
Brigadier Usman, known arsenic the Lion of Naushera, displayed bonzer valour successful the 1947-48 Indo-Pak War. He successfully defended Naushera and Jhangar successful Jammu and Kashmir, chose India implicit Pakistan during Partition, and laid down his beingness for the motherland connected 3 July 1948. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously and remains 1 of the highest-ranking subject officers to person been martyred successful combat, Mr. Raut noted.
“He is simply a shining awesome of patriotism and secularism,” the Rajya Sabha subordinate said.
Samrat Lalitaditya Muktapida was the 8th-century ruler of the Karkota dynasty of Kashmir. He expanded his empire crossed Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Tibet, built magnificent temples, including the iconic Martand Sun Temple, and established Kashmir arsenic a almighty taste and subject centre successful past Indian history, Mr. Raut pointed out.
