Jammu, April 3 -- Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday announced that a tunnel connecting the Machil sector to the hinterland at Z-Gali in Kupwara has been sanctioned to provide all-weather connectivity to the border residents.

Replying to a question raised by National Conference legislator, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone in the Legislative Assembly, Choudhary said the tunnel was cleared under the 'Other than Capital Acquisition' head with preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) underway for its inclusion in the Annual Works Plan (AWP) 2026-27.

He said the Machil area experiences heavy snowfall during the winter months, which affects the connectivity and poses difficulties for the residents.

"An institutional mechanism is ...