By rosebell
With the aim of improving connectivity and tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Sonamarg tunnel, also known as the Z-Morh tunnel.
Including 6.4km of Sonamarg main tunnel, with egress tunnel and approach roads, the Sonamarg tunnel is 12km long and has been constructed with almost INR27bn ($311m).
Being located in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, the two-lane bi-directional road tunnel is due to enable easy connectivity between Gagangir and Sonamarg and has been built at an altitude of around 8,650ft above sea level.
This tunnel would facilitate all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg via Leh, promoting tourism in the region.
According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “There was a festive atmosphere across the country. This tunnel will significantly ease the lives of people in Sonamarg, Kargil, and Leh. The tunnel will reduce the difficulties faced during avalanches, heavy snowfall, and landslides, which often led to road closures. It will improve access to major hospitals and ensure the availability of essential supplies, thereby reducing the challenges faced by the residents.”
The date of commencing the construction work on the Sonamarg tunnel was May 2015 and it was expected to be completed by 2016-17, whereas it soft opening was done in February 2024.
Intending to ensure safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region, the tunnel project is designed bypassing landslide and avalanche routes.
It is expected to promote tourism by turning Sonamarg into a full-year tourist destination, enhancing winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.
The project is aimed to reduce the route length from 49km to 43km and increase vehicle speed from 30 to 70kmph by collaborating with the Zojila Tunnel, which is planned to be completed in 2028.
Modi added: “In 2024, more than two crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, with Sonamarg seeing a six-fold increase in tourists over the past ten years.This growth has benefited local businesses, including hotels, homestays, dhabas, clothing shops, and taxi services. Jammu and Kashmir of the 21st century is scripting a new chapter of development.”
