Srinagar, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the opening of the Z-Morh tunnel will enable the development of Sonamarg resort in Ganderbal district as a winter sports destination, similar to the famous Gulmarg skiing resort town.
“Tomorrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel. This will allow the development of Sonamarg as a winter sports destination,” Abdullah told reporters in Gulmarg, 52 kilometers from here.
Abdullah is in Gulmarg to promote winter sports activities in the scenic north Kashmir town.
“Over the next five years, we will make full efforts to develop Sonamarg as a winter sports destination, just like we have developed Gulmarg,” he added.
Abdullah said he had come to Gulmarg to record a program for tourism promotion.
“If more tourists come here, it will mean more earnings for the local people, whether they are ski guides, ski instructors, sledge operators, ATV and snowmobile operators, or small businesses like restaurants and dhabas,” he said.
The chief minister also said that the Khelo India Winter Games would be held in Gulmarg in February this year, and the union territory is preparing to host the event.
“We still have some time before the Khelo India Winter Games. I hope there will be more snow before that,” he said.
Omar Abdullah said that the Z-Morh Tunnel will Transform Sonmarg into a Year-Round Destination.
Omar said that he had been waiting for the Z-Morh Tunnel for a long time, as it would bring many advantages to the area.
He added that residents living on the far side of the Z-mode who previously had to leave due to harsh winters can now stay there year-round.
“Sonmarg, which was earlier a summer-only destination, will now be accessible for 12 months. This will open new avenues for winter tourism and development in the area,” he said.
Omar also said that the Z-Morh Tunnel would also reduce the distance between Srinagar and Kargil, making travel easier and faster. “With the completion of the Zojila Tunnel in the next 2-3 years, connectivity will further improve, enhancing the area’s development,” he added.
On being asked about the Srinagar-Delhi train stop at Katra, Omar said that security arrangements must be prioritized for railway operations. “Passengers want their journeys to be safe and secure, with no risks of accidents or attacks. If a security stop is necessary, it should be implemented, but the railway authorities must ensure minimal inconvenience to travelers,” he said.
He further said that the decision on railway stops should prioritize passenger safety while ensuring smooth operations.
Omar said that the tunnel and other infrastructure projects are expected to rejuvenate tourism and provide better economic opportunities for locals. “The development will transform the lives of people living in the area, giving them new hope and prosperity,” he added.
The CM later in a post on “X” clarified his stance on proposed railway security arrangements, stating that there is a need for a balanced approach.
“While we understand the need to secure the train and the passengers who will travel using it, making passengers change trains will defeat the very purpose of the line and render the thousands of crores of investment pointless”, reads a post on “X” by CM Omar.
He further said that security checks should be conducted at Katra or Jammu but ruled out any support for measures requiring passengers to change trains. “Check the train/passengers in Katra or Jammu, sure, but no change of train will be supported by us,” he added.
He also said that there is currently no concrete proposal regarding this issue. “When there is, we will give our inputs and suggestions,” he added.
