PM Modi likely to gift Z-Morh tunnel to J&K: Know all about the project, its significance

PM Modi will inaugurate the Rs 2,400 crore strategic Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate on January 13 the Rs 2,400 crore strategic Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

According to an official involved in the construction of the key infrastructure project, if the weather holds good, PM Modi is likely to physically inaugurate the tunnel. "In case of inclement weather, the tunnel will be e-inaugurated," he told PTI.

In October 2024, militants in Jammu and Kashmir targeted workers of APCO Infratech, an infrastructure company responsible for constructing the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway. The attack, which killed seven workers, marked the first militant assault on a key infrastructure project in the region.

What is the Z-Morh tunnel?

It is a 6.4-kilometer tunnel connecting the Sonamarg health resort with Kangan town in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The tunnel has been constructed near Gagangir village. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, a famous tourist destination on the Srinagar-Leh highway. The tunnel got its name for the Z-shaped road stretch at the place where the tunnel is being constructed.

The tunnel project was originally conceived by the Border Roads Organisation in 2012. The project was expected to be completed by August 2023 but it was delayed. The soft-opening of the tunnel was carried out in February 2024. However, the final inauguration was delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

Why is the Z-Morh tunnel important?

The tunnel is important for maintaining all-weather connectivity to Ladakh, which is strategically important for the Indian Army. The region around Ladakh borders China, and ensuring quick access for military personnel and equipment is vital for national security.

Moreover, the Z-Morh tunnel is crucial for the success of another strategic project: the Zojila tunnel. Located at an altitude of around 12,000 feet, the Zojila tunnel will connect Sonamarg to Drass in Ladakh. Expected to be completed by December 2026, the Zojila tunnel will provide crucial all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, further boosting both civilian and military movement, according to Financial Express.

With the opening of the Z-Morh tunnel, the Srinagar-Sonamarg stretch of the road will be an all-weather road and also boost winter tourism in Sonamarg area, officials told PTI.

Without naming the tunnel project, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a social media post, said the infrastructure asset to be inaugurated in the coming days will be a game changer for the expansion of tourism.

"J&K, especially central Kashmir, looks forward to the inauguration of a vital piece of infrastructure in the coming days. This asset will be a game changer for the expansion of winter tourism in the valley," Abdullah posted on X.