Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir, a key infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the region. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The Z-Morh Tunnel, which stretches 12 kilometers, has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. It includes a 6.4 km main tunnel, an egress tunnel, and approach roads. Located at an altitude of more than 8,650 feet, the tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, bypassing landslide-prone areas, and offering a safer and uninterrupted route to the strategically important Ladakh region.
During his visit, PM Modi inspected the tunnel and interacted with the construction workers and officials who worked in difficult conditions to complete the project. He commended their dedication and the successful completion of this engineering marvel.
The Z-Morh Tunnel is expected to transform Sonamarg into a year-round tourist destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local economies. The project is seen as a major step towards improving the region’s infrastructure and enhancing the livelihood opportunities for the local population.
Together with the forthcoming Zojila Tunnel, slated for completion by 2028, the Z-Morh Tunnel will reduce the distance from Srinagar to Ladakh by 6 kilometers and increase vehicle speed from 30 km/h to 70 km/h, ensuring seamless connectivity along National Highway 1.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had visited Sonamarg on January 11 to review the preparations, expressed optimism about the tunnel’s potential to ease travel to Kargil and Leh and to help develop Sonamarg into a leading ski resort.