NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed his eagerness ahead of his visit to Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, for the upcoming tunnel inauguration.
Replying to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah’s post, in which he shared several images from his visit to the tunnel, PM Modi said: “I am eagerly awaiting my visit to Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir for the tunnel inauguration. You rightly point out the benefits for tourism and the local economy. Also, loved the aerial pictures and videos!”
PM Modi is set to inaugurate the Sonamarg tunnel in J&K on January 13. The tunnel, part of a project costing over Rs 2,700 crore, includes a 12-km main tunnel, an egress tunnel, and approach roads. Located at an altitude of over 8,650 feet, it will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, offering a safer route to Leh by bypassing areas prone to landslides and avalanches.
The J&K CM was on a visit to the site to review preparations for PM Modi’s visit on Monday.
“The inauguration of the Z-morh tunnel will open Sonmarg to tourism all year round, Sonmarg will now be developed as a great ski resort. The local population will not have to leave in winter & the travel time to Kargil/Leh from Srinagar will also reduce,” Abdullah said.
He shared several ariel pictures and videos of the tunnel.
The project aims to transform Sonamarg into a year-round tourism hub, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods, according to an official statement.
Together with the upcoming Zojila tunnel, it will reduce travel time and improve vehicle speed, ensuring better connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh. This enhanced infrastructure will not only facilitate defense logistics but also drive economic growth and promote socio-cultural integration across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, it said.
