Ganderbal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the strategic Z-Morh tunnel, built at a cost of Rs 2,400 crore, located on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway on January 13. This 6.5 kilometer long tunnel is being considered a major step towards connecting the Ladakh region by road throughout the year. This is the same tunnel where the terrorist attack took place on October 20 last year. This tunnel comes in Gagangir area of Ganderbal district. Seven people, including a local doctor and two laborers from Bihar, lost their lives in the attack in Gagangir. Two terrorists were involved in this attack on the Z-Morh tunnel construction site.
This tunnel is very important for defense needs and connecting Ladakh with other parts of the country. An official associated with the project said that if the weather is favourable, the Prime Minister himself will be present there and inaugurate the tunnel. But if there is bad weather, then in this situation the tunnel will be inaugurated through virtual medium. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, without naming the tunnel project, described it on social media as a “game changer” for expanding tourism. He said, “Jammu and Kashmir, especially Central Kashmir, is waiting for the inauguration of a vital infrastructure in the coming days. “This project will be a revolutionary step towards expanding winter tourism in the valley.”
It is noteworthy that due to heavy snowfall in Gand area of Kangan, Srinagar-Sonmarg road remains closed during winter months. With the opening of Z-Morh tunnel, this road will remain open throughout the year, which will promote winter tourism in Sonamarg area. To keep the Srinagar-Leh road operational throughout the year, work is also going on on the Zojila Tunnel. Work on the Z-Morh tunnel project began in May 2015 and was completed last year. The soft opening of the tunnel was done in February 2024. The opening of the tunnel will not only reduce travel time, but will also provide an alternative to dangerous and avalanche-prone routes in snowy areas.
