Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir on Monday to inaugurate the strategically significant Z-Morh (Sonamarg) tunnel in Ganderbal district. Extensive security measures have been implemented, with the Prime Minister’s security team taking full control of the event venue.

PM Modi is scheduled to arrive at the Sonamarg Tunnel around 11:45 AM on Monday for the inauguration and is expected to deliver a speech during the event.

According to a PTI report, security arrangements involve the Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces, and the Army. These agencies have been conducting widespread area domination exercises, searches, and patrols to ensure the event proceeds smoothly.

Sharpshooters have been stationed at key locations, while aerial and technical surveillance, including drone monitoring, is being conducted. Officials confirmed the area is under continuous watch.

“Security near the Z-Morh tunnel has been tightened with multi-layered arrangements, and the Prime Minister’s security team, including Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel, has secured the venue,” officials stated.

The SPG is a specialized agency responsible for safeguarding the Prime Minister of India and their immediate family members.

Authorities have also closed the Srinagar-Leh National Highway from Saturday to Monday, officially citing “icy road conditions due to inclement weather and maintenance work.” However, reports suggest the closure is primarily for the Prime Minister’s visit.

Z-Morh Tunnel Overview

Constructed at a cost of ₹2,400 crore on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, the 6.5-kilometre Z-Morh tunnel will provide year-round road access to the Ladakh region.

Work on the project began in May 2015 and concluded last year, with a soft launch in February 2024.

This tunnel is crucial for national defense in the Ladakh region, close to the China border, and strengthens connectivity between the Union Territory and the rest of India.

Key Features of the Z-Morh Tunnel

• Located at an altitude of 8,650 feet, the tunnel spans 12 km in total, including a 6.4 km main tunnel, an egress tunnel, and approach roads.
• It features a two-lane road tunnel with a parallel 7.5-metre-wide escape passage for emergencies.
• The tunnel ensures all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, bypassing landslide and avalanche-prone zones, offering safer and uninterrupted access to Ladakh.
• Previously, heavy snowfall made Sonamarg inaccessible in winter. The tunnel now plays a vital role in supporting tourism and regional economic growth.
• Together with the under-construction Zojila Tunnel, Z-Morh will guarantee continuous civilian and military access to Baltal and Ladakh.
• The tunnel is expected to turn Sonamarg into a year-round tourist destination, promoting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.

An ‘Engineering Marvel’

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), overseeing the project, described the Z-Morh tunnel as an “engineering marvel” and a transformative development for the region.

In a post on X, NHIDCL highlighted that the Sonamarg Tunnel is more than just a connection between Gagangir and Sonamarg—it has the potential to revolutionize the region’s trade and tourism sectors.

Equipped with advanced technology for real-time updates and seamless connectivity, the tunnel enhances the user experience.

Once the Zojila Tunnel is completed by 2028, both tunnels will shorten the route from 49 km to 43 km and increase vehicle speeds from 30 km/h to 70 km/h, ensuring smooth NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution opposing the University Grants Commission (UGC) draft regulations that allegedly expand the governor’s authority in appointing vice-chancellors (VCs), intensifying the ongoing conflict between Governor RN Ravi and the state government.

Currently, five state-run universities in Tamil Nadu, including Anna University, the University of Madras, Bharathiar University, Madurai Kamaraj University, and Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University, remain without appointed VCs due to this standoff. The resolution, introduced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, received support from all political parties except the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Earlier this week, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled draft guidelines for faculty recruitment and promotions in higher education institutions, proposing that VC positions be opened to non-academics.

In response, the Tamil Nadu Assembly urged the Union Ministry of Education to withdraw the UGC draft. The resolution stated, “The House believes that the recent UGC regulations on the appointment of vice-chancellors should be revoked.”

Condemning the draft, the resolution further declared, “These regulations threaten the future of Tamil Nadu’s youth. This Assembly unanimously demands their withdrawal. It is unacceptable to arbitrarily increase the governor’s powers in appointing VCs.”

Chief Minister Stalin criticized the BJP-led central government for undermining state autonomy in education, warning that the new rules would harm Tamil Nadu’s socially just education model.

Notably, the main opposition party, AIADMK—despite its usual criticism of the DMK—backed the resolution. In contrast, BJP’s floor leader Nainar Nagendran staged a walkout, though the BJP’s regional ally, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), supported the DMK.

Nagendran remarked, “The state government still has time to formally oppose the draft regulations.”

The conflict stems from the governor’s insistence on including a UGC nominee in search committees for VC appointments—a move the DMK government opposes. Stalin asserted, “We did not accept the governor’s recommendations as they are neither appropriate nor conventional.”

In 2022, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a bill seeking to limit the governor’s role in VC appointments. Reinforcing this stance, Stalin vowed in a social media post on Tuesday that the state would challenge the issue both legally and politically, calling the central government’s actions authoritarian and an attempt to centralize power.

Despite state funding for universities, the governor, serving as the chancellor, has the authority to appoint VCs. The conflict escalated in December 2024 when Governor Ravi asked the government to revoke its December 9 notification regarding the search committee for Annamalai University’s VC. The governor claimed the committee violated Supreme Court directives by excluding a UGC nominee.

Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian defended the government’s actions, stating they adhered to state university laws. The governor’s recommended committee included representatives from the chancellor, the state government, the university syndicate, and the UGC chairman, with the chancellor’s nominee serving as convener.

Raj Bhavan declared the state’s December 9 notification void, citing its inconsistency with UGC regulations and Supreme Court rulings. In response, the state government accused the governor of unilaterally adding a fourth member to the search committee.

Minister Govi Chezhian emphasized that each university operates under its own bylaws and that communication from the UGC should come directly to the state. He criticized the governor for obstructing the government’s decisions, stating, “It is inappropriate for the governor-chancellor to interfere with the state government’s actions.”

A 72-year-old Bengaluru resident, diagnosed with gastric cancer, reportedly died by suicide on December 25 after being denied benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) for treatment.

The victim, a retired state government employee, passed away 15 days after being diagnosed with gastric cancer, according to The Times of India.

The report noted that the patient was deeply distressed after discovering that the hospital refused to provide the ₹5 lakh insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) senior citizen scheme, for which he had enrolled. A family member explained, “Although we had created an AB PM-JAY senior citizen card offering ₹5 lakh annual coverage, the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) denied the benefit, citing pending state government orders. However, they did offer us a 50% discount.”

Dr. Ravi Arjunan, director in charge of KMIO, confirmed to the publication that the senior citizen scheme had not yet been implemented, as the necessary government orders were still awaited. The Karnataka government acknowledged the delay, stating it was seeking clarifications on funding aspects. The scheme is designed to provide ₹5 lakh in free insurance coverage for individuals aged 70 and above.

A family member recounted the financial strain, stating that initial scans alone cost ₹20,000, with further chemotherapy sessions required. “We planned to begin two rounds of chemo at Kidwai. We were prepared to pay, but we lost him to suicide within two days. While I wouldn’t say it was solely due to the denial of the benefit, he was already under significant stress knowing it hadn’t come through,” the family member told the publication.

Another beneficiary, Lalithamba BV, a tech professional and co-founder of Hasiru Mitra, as well as head of campaigns for the Bengaluru Navanirmana Party, shared her own struggles with the scheme. She recounted that although her 87-year-old father received his card in early November 2024, it was not processed when he was admitted to a private hospital on December 13. “We contacted the Ayushman Bharat helpline, but they informed us that the government had not yet issued instructions for using the card,” Lalithamba said, as quoted by The Times of India.

The Karnataka health and family welfare department acknowledged ongoing issues with the implementation of the AB PM-JAY senior citizen health assurance scheme.

To address the rising road fatalities in India, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced on Tuesday that the ongoing pilot scheme providing cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days to all crash survivors will be expanded nationwide by March 2025.

The minister also unveiled plans to introduce three mandatory technology-based systems in new buses and trucks. These include an audio warning system to alert drivers when they begin to fall asleep at the wheel. He referenced a ministry report highlighting that trucks were involved in 33,000 fatal crashes in 2022. The announcement came during a two-day workshop with transport secretaries and commissioners from all states.

Gadkari shared updates on the cashless insurance pilot, which has benefitted 6,840 individuals in states like Assam, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, and Haryana. “We hope the nationwide rollout of this scheme will save 50,000 lives by enabling treatment during the golden hour,” he said. Ministry officials confirmed that insights from the pilot states will be incorporated into the final scheme.

The minister noted that road fatalities rose to 1.72 lakh in 2023, a 4.2% increase from the previous year.

In addition to the audio warning system, Gadkari announced two other tech upgrades for heavy vehicles: electronic stability control and automatic emergency braking systems, which will activate when irregular steering patterns are detected. To enhance safety further, the ministry is exploring Aadhaar-based or similar technology to limit commercial drivers to a maximum of eight working hours per day.

The minister also revealed plans to increase the ₹5,000 reward for good Samaritans who assist crash victims. He is collaborating with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to enable air ambulance operations by establishing helipads at roadside amenities and ensuring hospitals are equipped to handle air ambulances.

Highlighting the acute shortage of skilled drivers in India, Gadkari stated that the country needs 22 lakh skilled drivers, with 75% of transport businesses affected by the shortfall. Currently, only 75 drivers are available for every 100 trucks, contributing to 30,000 deaths annually caused by unauthorized drivers. To address this, the government will set up 1,250 driving training centers with central funding.

Regarding environmental standards, the ministry plans to release a draft for Bharat Stage 7 (BS7) emission norms by the end of 2024, with stakeholder consultations beginning mid-2025. Standards for E-rickshaws will also be introduced to improve safety and durability, ensuring operators are not disadvantaged. Additionally, the government is developing a carbon credit-like system to promote a circular economy through its vehicle scrappage policy.