Prime Minister Modi to Open the Z-Morh Tunnel in Kashmir on January 13
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Srinagar, Jan 8 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to arrive in Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 to officially unveil the Z-Morh tunnel located on the Srinagar-Sonamarg route. This development aims to establish Sonamarg as a destination accessible throughout the year.
According to official reports, the Prime Minister will be present to inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel that will provide a new route from Gagangir to Sonamarg, enabling both tourists and locals to access the hill station year-round.
Currently, the Gagangir-Sonamarg road often experiences closures due to heavy snow and avalanches, which occur regularly.
The Z-Morh Tunnel is a substantial 6.5 km long, two-lane corridor connecting Gagangir and Sonamarg within the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. It derives its name from the Z-shaped roadway it replaces (Z-Morh means 'Z-turn' in English).
Previously, the old route was highly susceptible to avalanches, leading to prolonged closures. In contrast, the Z-Morh tunnel assures all-weather access to the Sonamarg tourist destination, allowing for a swift 15-minute transit through the tunnel, compared to the lengthy hours needed to navigate the previous winding road.
In conjunction with the nearby Zoji-La Tunnel, this strategically vital tunnel along the Srinagar-Leh Highway will facilitate year-round access to Baltal (home to the Amarnath cave), Kargil, and other regions within Ladakh.
The tunnel is expected to enhance military logistics, stimulate tourism, and foster economic growth. Beyond providing reliable access to Sonamarg, it will also create job opportunities for local youth and promote tourism-related activities in the region.
This project is part of a larger initiative that includes 31 road tunnels, with 20 located in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh.
Construction of the tunnel commenced in 2018.
Tragically, on October 20, 2024, the construction workers faced a terror attack when two assailants infiltrated their camp at Gagangir, resulting in indiscriminate gunfire. The attack led to the deaths of seven civilians, including six non-local workers from the company responsible for the Z-Morh tunnel's construction, alongside a local doctor.
