PM Modi Inaugurates Z-Morh Tunnel For All-Year Access To J&K's Sonamarg
Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel, providing all-weather connectivity between srinagar and Sonamarg.
Prime minister Narendra Modi on monday inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel in Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district facilitating all-weather connectivity between srinagar and Sonamarg en route to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Jammu kashmir Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, and chief minister Omar Abdullah were also present during the inauguration of the 6.5-kilometre-long tunnel.
Following the inauguration, Modi will address a public rally in Sonamarg amid sub-zero temperatures
The prime minister landed at srinagar airport at around 10:45 am and reached Sonamarg for the inauguration.
The two-lane bi-directional tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg has been built at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore and will facilitate easy commute for the military, businessmen, traders, tourists, and locals. The tunnel road, built at an altitude of 8,652 feet, is equipped with a parallel 7.5 meter-wide escape passage for emergencies.
On Sunday, chief minister Abdullah said the opening of the tunnel will enable the development of Sonamarg resort as a winter sports destination, similar to the famous Gulmarg skiing resort town.
"Over the next five years, we will make full efforts to develop Sonamarg as a winter sports destination, just like we have developed Gulmarg," he added.
The foundation stone of the tunnel project was laid during the Congress-laid UPA government in 2012 and the construction work began in 2015. However, the project faced delays after Infrastructure Leasing & Financial services (IL&FS), which initially won the contract, faced financial constraints and ceased the work in 2018. Later, APCO Infratech was awarded the tender in january 2020.
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