Z-Morh Tunnel –A Strategic Asset

Inauguration of the 6.4 km Z-Morh Tunnel in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi that improves the yearlong connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg on the Leh route is a tremendous national achievement. It bypasses the landslide and avalanche prone areas that have been posing a great threat to human lives. This tunnel will make the tourist destination of Sonamarg accessible throughout the year. This two lane tunnel that connects the Gagangir and Sonamarg in central Kashmir has been constructed at an expenditure exceeding rupees 2700 crore. The highlight of this tunnel is a 7.5 km wide emergency escape passage. This tunnel is located at an altitude of 8650 feet above the sea level. This project was initially started by Border Roads Organisation(BRO) in 2012 but this construction project was awarded by the BRO to Tunnelway Limited. Subsequently it was taken over by the (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation) NHIDCL. Again the project was retendered and its contract was taken over by APCO Infratech. This project was expected to be completed in 2023 but got delayed. Z-Morh Tunnel’s completion under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a national achievement. The Prime Minister while inaugurating the tunnel was pleased that this project was completed under his administration. He has underlined that this tunnel will maintain connectivity to Sonamarg during the winter season and will boost tourism in the entire region. He also gave an indication that numerous road and rail connectivity projects are set to be completed in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days. It is proper to mention that the rail services have reached Kashmir and will be formally inaugurated on 26th January, the Republic Day. This indeed speaks volumes about the seriousness of the New Delhi under the leadership of Narendra Modi is not only concerned about the road and rail connectivity of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India but its long term strategic vision to safeguard the national interests by upgrading the infrastructure has multi pronged focus. The primary focus being the national security imperative that demands the up gradation of the rail and road connectivity in the frontier areas so that the defence mechanism is well protected. The Z—Morh Tunnel will act as a game changer as far as the national security concerned as it will enhance the all-weather connectivity between the strategically located Ladakh region. It must be noted that the Zojila Tunnel that is set to be completed by 2028 will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km. Not only that it will boost the vehicle speed from 30km/hr to 70km/hr ensuring a seamless HN-1 connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. The main thrust of these projects is to enhance the support to the defence logistics besides encouraging socio-economic growth and socio-cultural integration across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. India is facing a tremendous challenge in terms of ge- strategic terms from Chinese designs in terms of infrastructural build up in the Himalayas and the Trans-Himalayas. Chinese expansionist machinations are well known to encircle India on multiple fronts. There is an urgent need to checkmate the Chinese in their own game and raise the costs.Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership is setting new benchmarks for the national security management of India.