Z-Morh tunnel: All you need to know

The Z-Morh tunnel, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, is key to keeping the tourist destination of Sonamarg open for visitors around the year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurated the strategically important Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (January 13, 2025). The 6.5km tunnel ensures seamless connectivity between Gagangir and Sonamarg, and will ease summer travel to Ladakh. The soft opening of the tunnel was done in February 2024.

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which oversees the project, has said the “engineering marvel” is a game changer for the region.

Built at a cost of ₹2,400 crore on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, the strategic Z-Morh tunnel will be a major step towards making the Ladakh region accessible by road throughout the year. The work on the project began in May 2015 and was completed last year.

Why is the Z-Morh tunnel important?

The Z-Morh tunnel is vital in terms of the defence needs of the country in the Ladakh region and also connecting the youngest Union Territory to the rest of the country. Situated at an altitude of 8,650 feet, the Z-Morh tunnel is a two-lane road tunnel equipped with a parallel 7.5-metre-wide escape passage for emergencies.

It will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg en route to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region

Along with the under-construction Zojila tunnel, the Z-Morh tunnel will ensure uninterrupted connectivity to Baltal and Ladakh regions for civilian and military traffic.

The tunnel is equipped with cutting-edge technologies that provide real-time updates and seamless connectivity for users. This futuristic infrastructure will not only enhance the travel experience but also set a new standard for road connectivity in the region.

The tunnel has reduced travel time between Srinagar and Sonamarg allowing vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 70 kilometer per hour compared to the earlier 30 kilometer per hour on the winding roads. The tunnel has a capacity of handling 1000 vehicles per hour.

Z-Morh tunnel to boost winter tourism

The tunnel, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, is key to keeping the tourist destination of Sonamarg open for visitors around the year. Earlier, snowfall and avalanches would cut off the tourist spot every winter.

The Z-Morh tunnel will promote tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the Z-Morh tunnel will open Sonamarg to tourism all year round, potentially developing the town into a great ski destination. He emphasised that the Sonamarg Tunnel would not only ensure all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg but also supplement Gulmarg as another skiing and winter sports destination, unlocking new avenues for tourism and economic growth.

Z-Morh tunnel project

The work on the Z-Morh tunnel began in May 2015. It took almost a decade to complete the works as the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), the initial concessionaire for executing the project, stopped work in 2018 due to financial stress.

The project was retendered in 2019 and awarded to APCO Infratech in January 2020, which had emerged as the lowest bidder.

The foundation stone for the ₹2,716.90 crore project was laid in October 2012 by C P Joshi, then Minister for Surface Transport during the UPA II government, in the presence of his then cabinet colleague Farooq Abdullah, then Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

The tunnel was initially expected to be completed by 2016-2017.

(With agency inputs)

Published - January 13, 2025 10:22 am IST