PM Modi to inaugurate Z-Morh Tunnel project on January 13

J&K prepared as PM Modi set to inaugurate strategic Z-Morh Tunnel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the strategic Z-Morh Tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway in Ganderbal on January 13. In case of inclement weather, the project will be e-inaugurated.

The preparations are in full swing to ensure foolproof security arrangements and provide better logistics to the visiting VVIPs.

The Z-Morh Tunnel has been built at Rs.2400 crores to provide all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, a famous tourist destination on the Srinagar-Leh highway.

The 6.4 km long tunnel got its name from the Z-shaped road stretch near the construction site.

After inaugurating the Z-Morh Tunnel project the focus will be shifted to the next big ticket infrastructure Zojila tunnel project as it is expected to be completed by September 2026.

The project is part of building a strategic corridor between Srinagar and Leh to ensure hassle-free movement of defence forces and maintain supply lines during adverse weather conditions. The total Project cost (TPC) of the Zojila Tunnel project is Rs.6,809.69 crore.

The Zojila Tunnel, located at an altitude of around 12,000 feet, will connect the tourist resort of Sonamarg to Drass in Ladakh.

The tunnel project will further boost civilian and military movement in the region, especially during winter months.

In October 2024, a group of heavily armed terrorists targeted construction workers near Gagangir, the Z-Morh Tunnel project site, killing a total number of seven employees including a local doctor and members of the supervisory staff.

Following the terrorist strike, the Union Territory administration ordered an immediate security audit of the major infrastructure projects in the region to prevent selective targeting of the construction workers to stall the projects and delay their construction.

According to official sources, The Z-Morh 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.

The Z-Morh Tunnel is expected to usher in a new era of development for Sonamarg, ensuring it thrives as a year-round tourist destination and further solidifying its place on the global tourism map.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his optimism about the project on social media platform X, stating, “J&K, especially central Kashmir, looks forward to the inauguration of a vital piece of infrastructure. This asset will be a game-changer for the expansion of winter tourism in the valley.”

Locals from the Gagangir area shared their excitement, with many describing the event as a “momentous occasion.” A resident remarked, “We are very happy that the tunnel is going to be inaugurated soon. It’s a great moment for us.”

The tunnel is not only expected to cut travel time but also strengthen the region’s connectivity, promoting winter tourism and economic development in Sonamarg and surrounding areas, said a group of local residents.

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