Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the strategically important Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, Ganderbal district. The tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, which further extends to Leh and Ladakh. The Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir will ensure safer and uninterrupted access to the Ladakh region, which is crucial for both civilian and defense purposes, by bypassing vulnerable landslide and avalanche-prone areas.
Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir costs over 2,700 INR crore
The Rs 2,700 crore project is another milestone in the improving infrastructure of this region. While inaugurating it, PM Modi was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. He toured the tunnel himself and met officials working on the project. While speaking to reporters, the Prime Minister acknowledged the hard work that construction workers showed in completing the tunnel under very challenging conditions.
J&K Chief Minister thanks PM Modi for visiting the state
Speaking on the occasion, Omar Abdullah thanked PM Modi for visiting the place despite the “intense cold.” He also used the opportunity to reiterate the demand for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, a long-standing political issue. “We hope that you will soon fulfill your promise made during the Yoga Day event and grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said.
The 6.5-kilometre-long Z-Morh Tunnel will change the region’s tourism and trade prospects. It will also develop Sonamarg as a winter sports destination, similar to the world-famous Gulmarg resort. The tunnel is strategically located at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, which will greatly enhance the region’s accessibility.
Along with the completion of the Zojila Tunnel in 2028, the Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir will ensure that Srinagar and Ladakh remain connected throughout the year, which is important for regional economic growth and defense logistics.