Sonamarg, Jan 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the strategically important Sonamarg Tunnel in Ganderbal district, central Kashmir, on Monday, underscoring the importance of new road and rail networks in bridging the gap between Jammu and Kashmir and the national capital, Delhi.
This visit marked PM Modi’s first to the Valley since an elected government, led by Omar Abdullah, assumed office in Jammu and Kashmir.
The 6.4-kilometer-long tunnel, built at a cost of ₹2,700 crore, is set to transform Sonamarg into a year-round tourist destination. The tunnel, situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet, will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, bypassing landslide and avalanche-prone routes, and enhancing access to the strategically significant Ladakh region.
Addressing a gathering in Sonamarg, PM Modi described Jammu and Kashmir as India’s “crown,” expressing his vision to see the region become “beautiful and prosperous”. He also paid tribute to seven persons, including a doctor, who lost their lives in a terror attack in the Gangangir area in October 2024.
“I thank all those who worked in the most difficult circumstances, risking their lives for the progress of the country and Jammu and Kashmir,” PM Modi said. “Seven of our colleagues lost their lives, but the incident did not deter us from our commitment. Not a single worker returned home,” he added.
Referring to recent photos shared by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Modi said they reignited his eagerness to visit.
Reflecting on his long association with the region, PM Modi shared his memories of working as a BJP worker, traversing several kilometres even in heavy snowfall. He highlighted the warmth and hospitality of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which helped him forget the cold.
“The Sonamarg tunnel will make life easier for residents of Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh, helping mitigate problems caused by avalanches, heavy snowfall, and landslides. It will improve access to hospitals and ensure the smooth delivery of essential supplies,” he said.
Modi said that with the start of this tunnel, it will boost tourism in Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh. “You can trust me; when I make a promise, I keep it,” he said. “Every task has the right time, and the right work will happen when it should. The Sonamarg tunnel will make life easier for the people in Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh. Our government started building this tunnel in 2015, and I am proud that we completed it. My principle is clear: whatever we start, we will finish.”
The tunnel will facilitate year-round connectivity to Sonamarg, boosting tourism across the region. Several other road and rail connectivity projects, including the Zojila Tunnel, are also set to be completed soon, further enhancing the region’s infrastructure.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of the Jammu Rail Division, which had been a long-standing demand of the region’s people. He also highlighted the broader vision for Jammu and Kashmir, which includes new roads, railways, hospitals, and colleges to aid the region’s development as part of India’s progress towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. “No region or family should be left behind,” he said.
Over the past decade, more than 4 crore poor families across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir, have received permanent houses. The Prime Minister further committed to providing an additional 3 crore homes in the coming years and highlighted the significant benefits of free medical treatment for millions of people.
He also drew attention to the establishment of new educational institutions, such as IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, medical colleges, and polytechnic colleges, with several top-tier institutes now benefiting the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi remarked that Jammu and Kashmir is becoming a hub of engineering marvels, including the Chenab Bridge, the Zojila Tunnel, and the Sonamarg Tunnel, along with the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. The region is also witnessing large-scale road connectivity projects, including the Katra-Delhi expressway and over ₹42,000 crore worth of road projects.
The Prime Minister highlighted the contribution of the tourism sector to the region’s economic growth, citing a six-fold increase in the number of tourists visiting Sonamarg over the past decade. In 2024, Jammu and Kashmir welcomed over 2 crore tourists, benefiting local businesses such as hotels, homestays, and taxis.
Noting that the region was regaining its identity as “Paradise on Earth”, PM Modi described the vibrant changes in Srinagar, where people now enjoy ice cream at Lal Chowk even at night, and the Polo View Market has become a hub for local artists and performers. He further emphasised the region’s growing tourism potential, with tourists flocking to previously untouched areas of the valley.
PM Modi also hailed the recent successes in sports, including the first international marathon in Srinagar, the return of international cricket to the region after 40 years, and the growing importance of Gulmarg as India’s winter games capital. Over 2,500 athletes have participated in sports events in Jammu and Kashmir, with over 90 Khelo India Centres now providing training to thousands of local youth.
Highlighting efforts to attract new industries, PM Modi announced investments worth ₹13,000 crore, creating thousands of jobs for the youth. He also lauded the performance of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, which has grown its business from ₹1.6 lakh crore to ₹2.3 lakh crore in the past four years.
The Prime Minister concluded by expressing his confidence in Jammu and Kashmir’s bright future, stressing that the youth, elders, and children of the region were all contributing to the realisation of their dreams.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, and Union Ministers of State Dr. Jitendra Singh and Ajay Tamta.
Earlier, PM Modi met the construction workers who braved harsh conditions to complete the tunnel project and acknowledged their invaluable contribution. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also honored the Prime Minister with a Sozni shawl and a papier-mâché frame.
Z Morh Tunnel renamed as Sonamarg Tunnel
The Z Morh Tunnel has been renamed as the Sonamarg Tunnel. The transformation was marked by the unveiling of the new tunnel portals, which now bear the inscription: “Welcome to Sonamarg Tunnel”. This name change reflects the region it serves, signaling a new chapter in the development of Sonamarg as a major tourist destination.
The project, which has been in the works for years, was inaugurated earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The tunnel is expected to drastically reduce travel time and provide a more reliable route through the mountainous terrain of the region, thus making the journey to Sonamarg more accessible for both locals and tourists.
