PM Modi inaugurates Z-Morh tunnel in J&K's Ganderbal district

The tunnel, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, is key to keeping the tourist destination of Sonamarg open for visitors around the year. (Image: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel, marking the first major milestone in the effort to build a strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh which is open all through the year.

The 12-km Sonamarg Tunnel project cost an estimated Rs 2,700 crore. It comprises of the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km length, an egress tunnel and approach roads, a government statement said.

The tunnel, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, is key to keeping the tourist destination of Sonamarg open for visitors around the year. Earlier, snowfall and avalanches would cut off the tourist spot every winter.

Built under the mountain glacier of Thajiwas Glacier between Gagangir and Sonamarg, the tunnel bypasses the landslide- and avalanche-prone pockets of the road, officials said.

An intelligent traffic management system will make it easier to control the flow of vehicles and will also open up the Thajiwas Glacier and Sindh River for adventure tourism, an official added.

Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, the project is expected to reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hour, ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. It will provide better connectivity to Baltal (Amarnath cave), Kargil, and other places in the Ladakh region throughout the year.