SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on January 13. This landmark project, valued at ₹2,400 crore, is set to revolutionize regional connectivity, enhance border security, and bolster both civilian and military logistics in the region.
The Z-Morh tunnel will ensure uninterrupted access to Sonamarg, an area often isolated during severe winters due to heavy snowfall. Seen as a transformative step, it promises all-weather connectivity in the region.
ALSO READ: Kashmir to Kanyakumari rail vision realised by PM: J&K LG
“This tunnel will be pivotal for troop mobility, seamless military logistics, and the consistent supply of essential goods to border areas. Additionally, it will ease travel for locals and shorten travel times across Jammu and Kashmir,” said a project official.
Harpal Singh, General Manager at the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), noted that the tunnel’s completion was made possible by the dedication of local workers and engineers, with 90% of the workforce hailing from areas like Kashmir, Doda, and Banihal.
ALSO READ: SC says AFT Bench in J&K key to reducing case pendency
The project is also expected to drive tourism in Sonamarg, previously cut off for half the year due to snowfall. “Travel through avalanche-prone zones will now be safer, and the journey from Gagangir to Sonamarg will take just 30 minutes,” said Riyaz Ahmad, a local resident. Ahmad emphasized the potential for winter tourism to revive livelihoods affected by the off-season closures.
Work on the Z-Morh tunnel began in 2020, facing delays, including setbacks from a terrorist attack in September. Despite these hurdles, the project is now complete. Officials confirmed that Prime Minister Modi will e-inaugurate the tunnel as part of the government’s infrastructure push in Jammu and Kashmir.