Ganderbal, Jan 12: Etching a significant milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s developmental journey, the much-anticipated Z-Morh Tunnel is all set for its grand inauguration today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 6.5 km strategic infrastructure project, along with the under-construction Zojila tunnel, located near Gagangir promises to revolutionize connectivity by providing all-weather access to Sonamarg in harsh winters.
The Z-Morth tunnel will become the first major milestone in the effort to build a strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh that remains open throughout the year.
The mega event will be graced by Union MoS (I/C) for Science and Technology; and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Union MoS for Road Transport & Highways Ajay Tamta, LG Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah, Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary, MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Leader of Opposition, J&K Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma and MP Gulam Ali.
The tunnel, located in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, is crucial for keeping the tourist destination of Sonamarg open year-round. Previously, snowfall and avalanches would cut off the tourist spot every winter.
The Sonamarg Tunnel project, around 12 km long, has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. It comprises the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km length, an egress tunnel and approach roads.
Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, it will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg enroute to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region.
It will also promote tourism by boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.
Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hr, ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh.
This enhanced connectivity will boost defense logistics, drive economic growth and socio-cultural integration across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Prime Minister will also meet the construction workers who have worked meticulously in the harshest conditions, acknowledging their contribution to this engineering feat.
Built at a cost of ₹2,680 crore, the 6.5-km long two-lane tunnel is a key feature of the strategic access route to Ladakh.
The Z-Morh tunnel will lead towards the Zojila tunnel, which is under construction nearby. The Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest, will cut through the Himalayan range at Zojila Pass to reach the Kargil district in Ladakh.
The 13.14-km long tunnel is being constructed at a cost of ₹6,800 crore. Officials stated that a 7.57 metre-wide horseshoe-shaped single-tube, two-lane tunnel will pass under the Zojila Pass between Ganderbal in Kashmir and Drass town in Kargil.
“It will reduce travel time from three hours to 20 minutes between Ganderbal and Kargil,” officials said. Ladakh is currently cut off during winter as the Zojila Pass, the only road connecting Kashmir with Ladakh, is closed in December, reopening depending on snow melt at mountain passes. At times, the road remains closed until April.
The Zojila tunnel will have four culverts with a total length of 810 metres, four Nilgrar tunnels with a total length of 4,821 metres, eight cut-and-covers with a total length of 2,350 metres, and three vertical ventilation shafts measuring 500 metres, 391 metres, and 220 metres, respectively.
Security forces posted in Ladakh are highly dependent on this surface connection for the movement of goods and vehicles into the region.
Meanwhile, security arrangements have been heightened ahead of the PM’s visit. A senior police officer told Rising Kashmir that all security measures have been finalized in Srinagar and Ganderbal district ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
“The Leh-Sgr highway has been closed to public traffic from Saturday, January 11, to Monday, January 13. This move is part of a comprehensive strategy to maintain a secure environment, with the area being closely monitored by security forces,” he added.
The official said that the Special Security Group (SSG), responsible for the Prime Minister’s safety, took control of the area several days before the visit. They coordinated with local police and paramilitary forces to establish multiple security checkpoints, conduct thorough searches, and deploy additional personnel to sensitive locations, he said.
“Moreover, drone surveillance and sniffer dogs have been deployed to ensure no security loopholes are left unchecked. Public movement in and around the vicinity of the Z-Morh tunnel has been restricted, and residents have been advised to carry identification documents for verification,” the official added.
The police official said that these measures are aimed at ensuring a seamless and secure inauguration ceremony for the Z-Morh tunnel.
