PM Modi to Inaugurate Z-Morh Tunnel, Unlocking Year-Round Access to Sonamarg and Ladakh
PM Modi's Visit to J&K: Z-Morh Tunnel to Enhance Tourism, Defense, and Regional Economy
GANDERBAL, Jan 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 to inaugurate the much-anticipated Z-Morh Tunnel, a transformative infrastructure project aimed at ensuring all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, one of the Union Territory’s most picturesque destinations.
Spanning 6.5 kilometers, the two-lane Z-Morh Tunnel connects Gagangir to Sonamarg, bypassing the avalanche-prone Gagangir-Sonamarg road. The tunnel, named after the “Z-shaped” stretch of the road it replaces, significantly reduces travel time to 15 minutes, a drastic improvement over the hours-long journey on the older route.
Local residents have welcomed the project, highlighting its strategic and socio-economic importance. “This tunnel will keep the Sonamarg-Ladakh road open throughout the year, crucial for both tourism and defense logistics. Goods that previously had to be airlifted can now be transported by road. This development is a game-changer for our region,” said one resident, expressing gratitude to the Central Government and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for spearheading the initiative.
The tunnel holds immense strategic significance, particularly for its role in providing seamless connectivity to Baltal (the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra), Kargil, and Ladakh. By enabling weather-proof transit, it enhances military logistics in the border regions and boosts tourism, fostering economic growth and job creation.
Started in 2018, the Z-Morh Tunnel is a part of a broader initiative to develop 31 road tunnels across the region — 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh. Together with the Zoji-La Tunnel, it forms a critical component of infrastructure development in the Himalayas.
This milestone underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and development in Jammu and Kashmir, reinforcing the region’s geostrategic and economic significance. The inauguration of the Z-Morh Tunnel is not just a step forward in infrastructure but a catalyst for holistic regional growth.
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