Masterstroke by PM Modi on national security to deter Pakistan, China; this tunnel to give Indian Army…

A total of 19 tunnels are being built in Jammu and Kashmir at an estimated cost of Rs 25,000 crore. Among these, the construction of the Z-Morh tunnel and its approach road, stretching 6.5 km, is unde

Written by: Analiza Pathak Edited by: Analiza Pathak

Published: January 10, 2025, 11:14 AM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/india/masterstroke-by-pm-modi-on-national-security-to-deter-pakistan-china-this-z-morh-tunnel-to-give-indian-army-all-weather-access-to-ladakh-and-kashmir-7527962/ Copy

A total of 19 tunnels are being built in Jammu and Kashmir at an estimated cost of Rs 25,000 crore. Among these, the construction of the Z-Morh tunnel and its approach road, stretching 6.5 km, is underway at a cost of Rs 2,680 crore. The Z-Morh tunnel, located on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, is a vital infrastructure project. Set to be a key milestone in the plan to establish an all-year-round corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh, the Z-Morh tunnel is scheduled for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13.

This two-lane road tunnel is being constructed under the Thajiwas Glacier between Gagangir and Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir. The project includes a 10.8-meter main tunnel, a 7.5-meter modified horseshoe-shaped escape tunnel, an 8.3-meter D-shaped ventilation tunnel, and several culverts, with lengths of 110 meters, 270 meters, and 30 meters respectively.

The Z-Morh Tunnel also incorporates an Intelligent Traffic Management System, enhancing traffic control and providing smoother travel through a dedicated escape tunnel. Once completed, the tunnel will offer all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town.

Debris from the construction work is being repurposed for the development of wayside facilities, benefiting the region. The strategically located tunnel will ensure better connectivity between Srinagar and Kargil, significantly reducing travel time to Leh, and fostering both social and economic growth in the region. It will also boost tourism in Sonamarg, enabling activities such as white-water rafting on the Thajiwas Glacier and the Sindh River.

Key details about Z-Morh Tunnel

• Seven people were killed in a terrorist attack on October 20, 2024 evening at the construction site of the Z-Morh tunnel. This is the first time a major infrastructure project in Jammu and Kashmir has been targeted by terrorist.
• The terrorist opened fire on workers from the private company APCO Infratech, which is constructing the tunnel. The attack took place in the Gund area.
• The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack.
• The tunnel is part of a critical infrastructure project on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, aimed at providing all-weather access to Sonamarg and Ladakh.
•  The Z-Morh tunnel is 6.4 km long and connects Gagangeer to Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
•  The tunnel will provide year-round access to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination, and ensure connectivity to Ladakh, crucial for military access to border areas.
• The construction site is at over 8,500 feet altitude, with snow avalanches making access to Sonamarg difficult during the winter months.
•  Initially planned by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 2012, the project was taken over by NHIDCL and awarded to APCO Infratech.
• The Zojila tunnel, another crucial project connecting Sonamarg to Drass in Ladakh, is under construction and expected to be completed by December 2026.