NATIONAL 07-04-2017. News : 8 Apr 2017 1. Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi inaugurated Chenani-Nashri tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir on 2nd April 2017. The world class “9.2-km long all-weather tunnel is India’s longest highway tunnel. The tunnel will cut the distance between Jammu and Srinagar to around 250 km from the current 350 km.The project will result in a saving of Rs 27 lakh per day based on traffic estimates.The tunnel is equipped with advanced scanners to ward off any security threat. The tunnel, which took seven years to build, will link Chenani in Udhampur district with Nashri in Ramban district. As many as 1,500 engineers, geologists, skilled workers and labourers constructed this tunnel.The National Highways Authority of India has spent Rs 3,720 crore on this state-of-the-art tunnel. It is a giant leap in terms of development and progress for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. 2. The first express highway project in the northeast region will be developed along the Brahmaputra river in Assam. The construction of 1,300 km-long express highwaysare likely to cost an investment of Rs 40,000 crore.This was announced by Mr Nitin Gadkari at the closing ceremony of the 'Namami Brahmaputra' festival. The minister requested the Assam Chief Minister to carry out land acquisition work for the modern road.The soil coming from the dredging of Brahmaputra will be utilised for construction of the road. 3. US envoy to the United NationsNikki Haley stated thatif required the Trump administration may play a ''pro-active'' role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. This points to a possible change in Washington's publicly hands-off role in India-Pakistan affairs. Previous US administrations have steered clear of an active public role in India-Pakistan ties, knowing New Delhi's sensitivities to Islamabad trying to internationalize bilateral matters. 4. The BJP-led NDA government plans to come out with narratives to counter political allegations on its various policies as it prepares a 'report card' on the eve of its third anniversary next month. The government will present a three-year report card to the people on the eve of its anniversary.The 'report card' will highlight various achievements of the government during the last three years.The report card will consist of "facts, figures, data and statistics" on various policies of the government. < < Back