Earlier this month, National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) announced the opening of the Z-Morh tunnel, connecting Gagangir and Sonamarg. The tunnel will be opened for traffic on September 15, to ensure uninterrupted connectivity to Sonamarg, which was earlier inaccessible during winter season.
The Z-Morh Tunnel, a critical infrastructure, being constructed at an altitude of about 2,637 meters, will reduce travel time and enhance safety for commuters by bypassing avalanche-prone stretches of the existing road.
As it is near completion, it will facilitate uninterrupted access to the picturesque town of Sonmarg, a popular tourist destination, as well as to areas further along the Srinagar-Leh highway, which are vital for both civilian and military movement.
Without this tunnel, the road to Sonmarg is vulnerable to dangerous snowfall and avalanches, which necessitates its closure for several months in a year. The new tunnel completion will also significantly reduce travel time between Srinagar and Sonmarg.
Equipped with modern amenities and safety features, the Tunnel is expected to boost tourism, enhance the region’s economic prospects, and provide strategic advantages by ensuring year-round connectivity to the border areas. This project is a significant step towards the development and integration of the remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shabir Ahmad, President of the Beopar Mandal Association in Sonamarg, expressed his enthusiasm over the news that the Z-Morh Tunnel will soon be opened to the public.
He said Sonamarg is renowned for its winter tourism and the opening of the Z-Morh Tunnel will not only boost the local economy but also enhance the winter sports activities. Ahmad said the community is eagerly anticipating the day when tunnel becomes operational
The Association has hailed the government for taking an active part in the work of the tunnel saying that it was the dream project of the Government of India.
Beyond its engineering marvel, the Z-Morh tunnel symbolises hope and progress for the region, promising year-round access to the picturesque Sonamarg and, eventually.
Junaid Ahmad, a local resident, highlighted that hundreds of youth currently rely on Sonmarg for their livelihood, engaging in small businesses such as shops, horse riding, sledge riding, and other activities.
“For the past ten years, we have been requesting the government to make the Z-Morh Tunnel functional to ensure uninterrupted connectivity between Ganderbal and Sonmarg,” he said.
He added that with the tunnel now set to be open year-round, it will significantly boost the local economy and create even more job opportunities for the youth in Sonmarg.
Junaid said the all-weather access by the tunnel will not only benefit those already working in the area but also attract new businesses and tourists, further enhancing economic prospects of the region.
This development is seen by the locals and businessmen as a long-awaited and much-needed infrastructure upgrade that will transform the lives of the local community.
The tunnel will increase social and economic development throughout the region and boost tourism in Sonmarg, which boasts attractions including Thajiwas Glacier and activities such as white water rafting in the Sind River.
The 6.5 km Z-Morh Tunnel according to tunnel officials will have no toll tax for vehicles using the tunnel. Officials of the NHIDCL highlighted that the tunnel would remain open year-round like other tourist destinations in the alley.
“This development is expected to provide uninterrupted access to the picturesque Sonamarg area, even during the harsh winter months,” they said.
Initiated in July 2020, the Z-Morh Tunnel project in Gagangeer area represents a significant investment by the central government, with a total cost of Rs 2400 crores.
The project saw the deployment of approximately 1,500 personnel, including officers, engineers, supervisors, and drivers, to ensure timely completion.
This workforce has been instrumental in adhering to the project schedule, aiming to boost local tourism by offering winter access to Sonmarg’s snowy landscapes.
The tunnel is equipped with comprehensive facilities to ensure safe and seamless travel during winter. Previously, avalanches along certain sections of Hung road necessitated the closure of Sonmarg road in last December, forcing tourists to turn back at Gagangeer area.
The road typically reopened for transportation in May. With the new tunnel, this seasonal disruption will be a thing of the past.
The officials emphasized the significance of completing the tunnel on schedule, describing it as a major achievement. Once opened, the journey time from Gagangeer to Sonamarg will be significantly reduced to just half an hour.
The construction company, APCO, has played a crucial role in the completion of this project. After fifteen years of operation, the tunnel’s management will be handed over to NHIDCL.
The opening of the Z-Morh tunnel also highlights the vision of infrastructure development in the region. The tunnel is the first phase of a larger project, with the 13.5-kilometre Zojila tunnel set to follow.
When completed, the Zojila tunnel will further enhance connectivity, making the entire region accessible throughout the year. It represents a step towards greater integration of the region with the rest of the country, fostering economic development.
The long road tunnel under Zojila pass between Sonmarg and Drass is under construction after commencement of construction in 2018 and is aimed to reduce travel time and will ensure round the year road connectivity between two Union Territories
Planned as a smart tunnel, it will have the latest safety features such as a fully transverse ventilation system, an uninterrupted power supply, emergency lighting, CCTV monitoring, variable message signs, traffic logging equipment and tunnel radio system.
Pertinent to mention that, once completed, the Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, which is part of a mega road project to ensure undisrupted connectivity between the two UTs.
People in the Union Territory of Ladakh are eagerly waiting for the opening of the Zojila tunnel which will provide a relief to people and will remain open round the year.
The business community in Ladakh region is pleased to have an all-weather tunnel and said that once completed, the tunnel would have a positive impact on trade and commerce.
