PM Modi Inaugurates Z-Morh Tunnel In J&K's Sonamarg

Z-Morh Tunnel: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir that will make the Sonamarg tourist resort accessible throughout the year.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Rs 2,700 crore project and inspected the tunnel as he travelled through. He interacted with project officials and met construction workers. The workers were lauded for completing the tunnel despite harsh conditions. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were in attendance.

#WATCH | Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir: After inaugurating the Z-Morh tunnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects the tunnel.

CM Omar Abdullah, LG Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari are also present.

(Source: DD/ANI) #KashmirOnTheRise pic.twitter.com/FbOP7COfzm — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025

During the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to the workers who braved extreme conditions to complete the project. He acknowledged their sacrifices, stating, "First of all, I would like to thank all the brothers who worked in the most difficult circumstances, risking their lives, for the progress of the country and Jammu and Kashmir." Modi also paid tribute to seven workers who lost their lives during the construction, adding, "Today, I would like to remember the 7 colleagues we have lost their lives." 

PM Modi arrived at Srinagar International Airport in a special aircraft. He then took an Air Force helicopter to Neelgrad in Sonamarg. From the Neelgrad helipad, he traveled by cavalcade to Gagangir. 

The two-lane, bi-directional tunnel located on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, is set to significantly enhance year-round road connectivity to the Ladakh region. The construction work on the strategic infrastructure project commenced in May 2015, was completed in 2023. The tunnel had its soft launch in February 2024.

The Z-Morh tunnel is located at 8,650 feet and includes a 7.5-metre-wide escape passage for emergencies.