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In Pictures: India’s extraordinary tunnel project in Kashmir

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Indian workers are toiling away to complete four tunnels connecting the Kashmir valley to Ladakh, a contested border region between India and China.

Hundreds of people are working on an ambitious project to drill tunnels and construct bridges connecting the picturesque Kashmir Valley with the cold and rugged terrains of Ladakh, a region that remains isolated for every six months due to massive snowfall.

A strategically important place, Ladakh shares de facto borders with Pakistan and China. The region generally depends on air supplies for half the year.

Kashmiri worker Tariq Ahmed Lone, wearing blue helmet, stands on a crane along with other worker employed by the Megha Engineering And Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) works inside the Nilgrar Tunnel in Baltal area northeast of Srinagar, Kashmir, Tuesday, September 28, 2021. (AP)

Four tunnels are projected to connect these two regions and the first one, 6.5-kilometer long, is already complete and will make the resort town of Sonamarg accessible during the winter months for the first time.

A worker wearing face mask and helmet is seen inside the Nilgrar tunnel in Baltal area Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. (AP)

Sonamarg marks the end of conifer-clad mountains before Ladakh begins across the rocky Zojila mountain pass.

A lone truck travels on the Zojila Pass, northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. (AP)

The last tunnel of the $932 million project, about 14-kilometers-long, will bypass the challenging Zojila pass and connect Sonamarg with Ladakh.

A man works on the construction of a bridge which will connect Sonamarg to Nilgrar Tunnel in Baltal area, northeast of Srinagar, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. (AP)

After finishing, it will be the longest and highest tunnel at 3,485 meters in India.

Vehicles run through the Zojila Pass, northeast of Srinagar, Monday, September 27, 2021. (AP)

“It’s not like any other construction work. It’s great learning,” said one of the workers, Tariq Ahmed Lone, as he helped at a drilling machine.

The Indian and Chinese army have been confronted in the Karakoram mountains in Ladakh for over 16 months along their de facto border, called the Line of Actual Control.

Mohammad Saleem, a drilling machine operator is covered with dust as he poses for picture at the entrance of Nilgrar Tunnel, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. (AP)

Both countries have stationed tens of thousands of soldiers there, backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets.

According to Indian military planners, the tunnel project is extremely important for Ladakh thanks to providing logistics flexibility to the military and giving it operational and strategic mobility.

This photograph provided by the Indian Army, according to them shows Chinese troops dismantling their bunkers at Pangong Tso region, in Ladakh along the India-China border on Monday, Feb.15, 2021. (AP)

Politicians also see an opportunity in the project.

The Zojila part of the tunnel is to be functional in 2026, but India’s road transport and highways minister, Nitin Gadkari, said on a visit to the project site on Tuesday that he hopes the work will be finished before a 2024 general election.

Indian Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, center, accompanied with his wife in blue saree, looks at the under construction Zojila tunnel in Baltaal, northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. The tunnel will connect Srinagar to the Ladakh region in a stretch that otherwise remains closed during the winter months because of snow. (AP)

“It’s a challenge I know, but I’m confident they can do it on time,” Gadkari said. “Obviously, we would want it to be finished before the elections.”

Source: www.trtworld.com

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Land Act Bill amended and proposed to parliament

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Parliamentarian Moosa Siraj has introduced a bill proposing amendments to the Maldivian Land Act, incorporating modern modifications. The bill initiated discussions among parliament members after its proposal by Siraj.

The proposed bill outlines regulations for determining land types, allocation for different purposes, and distribution to ministries and individuals. It stipulates that national and public land policies will be formulated by the president with the advice and recommendations of parliament members.

Key provisions of the bill include the appointment of a Registrar of Land by the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development, establishment of a Land and Survey Authority, and appointment of a Surveyor General.

Regarding land distribution, the bill allocates land for ministries, freeholding, and leasing, specifying permissible uses such as residential, economic, industrial, social, environmental, and governmental activities. It addresses various aspects including land rights, plot allocation, leasing, mortgage, sale, transfer by inheritance, ownership, and rights transfer.

Highlighting the outdated nature of the current Land Act from 2002, Moosa Siraj emphasised the need for modern amendments to address contemporary challenges. He stressed the inclusion of provisions for land surveys and valuation policies to mitigate issues related to fluctuating land values.

Siraj urged fellow parliament members to support the bill, citing its importance. However, members of the opposition have expressed reservations, advocating against its passage.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Government prepares to offer Hiyaavahi Finance Scheme

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The Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development has signed an agreement with the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) to offer low-interest loans for housing construction, in line with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment. Minister Ali Haidar Ahmed and the new Managing Director of HDFC, Ahmed Zeenad, signed the agreement of the venture.

This initiative, named the “Hiyaavehi Finance Scheme,” aims to provide financial support for the construction of individual homes. Minister Ali Haidar provided an overview of the scheme, highlighting President Dr. Muizzu’s pledge to offer low-interest loans. He outlined two categories for loan distribution, with one targeting individuals in Male’ City and other areas designated by President for development as urban centres and another for residents of other islands or regions.

Minister Haidar explained that individuals owning land in Male’ City and urban centers can receive loans of up to USD 195 thousand, with a repayment period of 25 years. Meanwhile, those in other areas are eligible for loans of USD 65 thousand under the same repayment terms.

He emphasised the enhancements made to the loan schemes compared to the previous administration, noting an increase in the maximum loan amount from USD 45 thousand to USD 65 thousand, a reduction in the interest rate from 6% to 5%, and an extension of the repayment period from 20 to 25 years.

The Minister announced that priority would be given to individuals with land plots in urban centers and areas outside Male’ City for loan disbursement. Loan applications will soon be open for residents of urban centers, accessible through the Ministry of Housing’s portal. After a screening process conducted by HDFC, eligible applicants will receive the loans.

President Dr. Muizzu’s initiative to provide loans to landowners aims to alleviate financial barriers to home construction, offering support to individuals in need.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Persecution of opposition leaders marks return to cycle of tyranny: Solih

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The move to summon opposition leaders to the police on unfounded charges marks a return to a bitter cycle of tyranny, says former Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Solih, a special advisor at the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), made the remark in a post on X on Wednesday night. His comment comes after the police summoned MDP’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail for questioning in a corruption investigation.

Earlier on Wednesday, Fayyaz shared the summons he received from the police asking him to present himself for questioning regarding an ongoing investigation into a corruption case.

According to the summons, Fayyaz is suspected of financial gain from transactions involving embezzlement of Road Development Corporation (RDC)’s funds.

Fayyaz denied the case against him, and described it as “the beginning of a cycle of baseless political allegations.”

Retweeting his post, Solih expressed concern over the situation.

“The start of summoning opposition leaders to the police headquarters without any basis revives the bitter cycle of tyranny and infringement of the constitution we experienced before,” he wrote. “You can serve the people without being tyrannical.”

The former president had previously accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of harboring a spirit of political retaliation.

The police previously said it was investigating a case involving the transfer of RDC’s funds to the bank accounts of the companies owned by top government officials as well as their personal accounts.

Source(s): sun.mv

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