By | Dr Ashfaq Lone
Karnah Kupwara:The historic approval of the Sadhna Tunnel by the central government has brought immense joy and hope to Karnah. From elected representatives to civil society, political leaders, traders, Bar Council members, Pahari language activists, and the media — everyone has welcomed this decision and thanked the Government of India for fulfilling a decades-old demand.
MLA Karnah Javed Ahmad Mirchal, ex-MLAs Advocate Raja Manzoor and Kafeel ur Rehman said the tunnel would usher in a new era of connectivity, development, and prosperity for this remote border region, solving the persistent winter road closure problem.
Civil Society Karnah, led by Chairman Peerzada Sirajuddin and General Secretary Waqar Ahmad, highlighted their consistent efforts to amplify the people’s voice which finally bore fruit.
BJP Karnah Unit Leader Idrees Karnahi, BJP Karnah President Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir, and BJP Kupwara Vice President Jahangir Khan thanked Minister Nitin Gadkari and the central leadership for approving this vital lifeline.
RSS Provincial Youth Secretary Yasir Chuck noted that the tunnel will open vast employment opportunities for local youth and stimulate economic growth.
Apni Party Zonal President Javaid Lone called it a symbol of collective political efforts for public welfare, while Beoparmandal President Haji Tasleem Mir said the business community will thrive with year-round smooth transportation.
Prominent Pahari language and cultural icons Ab Rashid Lone, Ab Rashid Qureshi, Haider Nadeem, Mushkoor Shad, and Waqar Khan praised the move as a boost to preserving local heritage through better connectivity.
Former principals Qazi Abdul Hameed, Khawaja Mansoor, and Akram Khan said the tunnel will improve access to education for students during harsh winters.
Senior Bar Council members Advocate Mohammad Shafi and Qazi Advocate Mehboob Ilahi added that better connectivity will ease legal and administrative challenges for locals.
Leading media voices Dr. Ashfaq Lone and Peerzada Sayeed reaffirmed their commitment to amplifying people’s demands and thanked the government for this long-awaited approval. Dr. Ashfaq, who has been closely monitoring this project for the last 10 years, said that the Indian Army’s 104 Shakti Vijay Brigade and the civil administration — whether at the state, district, or local Karnah level — have always recommended and supported this vital tunnel proposal. He emphasised that today’s success is the result of all these positive endorsements and tireless efforts over the years.
Local leaders further highlighted that this mega project will create thousands of jobs for local drivers, supervisors, and labourers, boosting livelihoods and economic self-reliance in Karnah.
All stakeholders urged the government to start work at the earliest so the people of Karnah can finally be free from seasonal isolation and step confidently into a new era of connectivity and prosperity.
