"PM Modi will inaugurate new Patna airport terminal by April," says BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad

Stating that 10 lakh passengers will come to the airport annually, the former Union Minister said that the runway of the airport will also be expanded.

"PM Modi will inaugurate the new terminal of Patna airport by April. This is a modern terminal equipped with all the facilities... After the construction of the new terminal, it will handle 4500 passengers during peak time and 10 lakh passengers will come to the airport annually... The runway of the airport will also be expanded," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, in Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and J-K LG Manoj Sinha were present at the inaugural ceremony.

After the inauguration, PM Modi inspected the tunnel and took detailed information about its route map and construction work.

The Prime Minister interacted with the officials and construction workers who have worked meticulously in the harshest conditions for the construction of this tunnel and acknowledged their contribution to this engineering feat.

It comprises the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km in length, an egress tunnel and approach roads. Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, it will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg en route to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region.

The newly inaugurated Sonamarg tunnel will also promote tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.

Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hr, ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh. (ANI)