WHEN DR S. RADHAKRISHANAN INAUGURATED THE JAWAHAR TUNNEL IN J&K
JAWAHAR TUNNEL WAS OPENED
FOR TRAFFIC ON 22.12.1956.
The need to construct a Tunnel for round the
year road connectivity was felt immediately after the independence of the
country. The old Tunnel at the top of banihaal pass was almost a fair weather link . Accordingly M/S Alfred Kunz and C. Barsel
(Both companies in collaboration from Germany ) were engaged
for construction of this Tunnel .
The actual construction work
was started in 1954. The length of this tunnel is about 2.85 kms and its elevation is 7,198 ft with one lane road in either direction.The tunnel
is presently under Project BEACON of Border Roads organization.
( Near Banihaal . Photo 22.12.1956 )
On
22nd December 1956 ,Dressed in Overcoat and a hat , the then Vice-President of
India , Dr. S. Radhakrishanan declared the western Tube of the Banihal Tunnel
open for light traffic. It was also decided by Bakshi Ghulam Mohd the
then prime Minister of J&K state to
take Dr Radhakrishanan
to Gulmarg on 21.12.1056 to acclimatize him with extreme winters and Snow of Kashmir valley. Accordingly Dr RadhaKrishanan
visited Gulmarg on 21.12.1956 and was
amused to see the snow all over.
( Tangmarg kashmir under snow.. Photo 21.12. 1956 )
A grand function was later held at Verinag
same day. People thronged to see galaxy of politicians at Verinaag town inspite
of severe winter and snow.Among the distinguished members of the
audience are Sadar-I-Riyasat Yuvraj Karan Singh ,Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam
Mohammed with his cabinet colleagues that include Ghulam Mohd sadiq ,Sham Lal
Saraf and Girdhari Lal Dogra . I am informed that Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan addressed the
gathering in Hindi .
Smoking in public functions was not a taboo and no restriction was imposed over it. One can see Bakshi Ghulam Mohd Enjoying his Cigarette while Dr Radhakrshanan is addressing the gathering at Verinaag.
Later a cultural programme and a dinner was organized in Srinagar by Bakshi Ghulam Mohd for the distinguished Guest and other dignitaries .
Smoking in public functions was not a taboo and no restriction was imposed over it. One can see Bakshi Ghulam Mohd Enjoying his Cigarette while Dr Radhakrshanan is addressing the gathering at Verinaag.
Later a cultural programme and a dinner was organized in Srinagar by Bakshi Ghulam Mohd for the distinguished Guest and other dignitaries .
( Dr S Radhakrishanan addressing the gathering at verinaag on 22.12.1956 )
( Bakshi Ghulam Mohd addressing the gathering at verinaag on 22.12.1956
( Bakshi Ghulam Mohd addressing the gathering at verinaag on 22.12.1956
Dr karan singh was
highly impressed by the scholarship and clarity of Dr Radhakrishnana’s on Indian Philosophy and Religion . He
had some close interactions with the learned Scholar during this visit.This
fact finds mention in his memoirs as well.
( Autar Mota )
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