NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir that will make the Sonamarg tourist resort accessible throughout the year.
Along with the PM, Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah was also present there at the event.
Earlier today, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell chief Amit Malaviya shared a video on X and said that the Modi government is empowering Jammu & Kashmir.
What we know about tunnel so far:
- The Z-Morh tunnel, constructed at Rs 2,400 crore along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, represents a significant advancement in providing year-round road access to the
Ladakh region. The construction commenced in May 2015 and reached completion in the previous year. The tunnel’s initial opening took place in February 2024.
- This infrastructure holds strategic importance for national defence requirements in Ladakh whilst establishing reliable connectivity between the Union Territory and the rest of India.
- Located at 8,650 feet elevation, this two-lane tunnel features an additional 7.5-metre-wide emergency escape passage running parallel to the main structure.
- The tunnel facilitates uninterrupted travel between Gagangir and Sonamarg, particularly benefiting summer travel to Ladakh.
- Working in conjunction with the Zojila tunnel currently under construction, this infrastructure will provide continuous access for both civilian and military vehicles to the Baltal and Ladakh areas.
- The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), overseeing the project, confirmed the tunnel’s advanced technological features providing continuous updates and connectivity. This modern infrastructure aims to enhance travel efficiency and establish improved road connectivity standards.
- Together with the Zojila Tunnel, scheduled for completion by 2028, the project will decrease the route distance from 49 km to 43 km and increase vehicle speeds from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hr, ensuring continuous NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. Officials indicate this improved access will strengthen defence logistics and promote economic and socio-cultural development across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
