Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Dec 30: For the first time, Sonamarg is likely to remain accessible during winter, as the crucial Z-Morh tunnel connecting Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway is set to be inaugurated on 26th January next year.
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An official told Excelsior that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to e-inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel alongside the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which will enable direct train connectivity between New Delhi and Baramulla.
The Z-Morh project, costing Rs 2,400 crore, began in 2020 in the Gagangir area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Delayed by a militant attack near the site in September, which claimed seven lives, including a local doctor, the tunnel is now ready for inauguration.
It will provide year-round connectivity to the tourist hub of Sonamarg, traditionally inaccessible in winter due to heavy snowfall. “The tunnel is complete and ready for inauguration,” Harpal Singh, General Manager at National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), said.
Singh attributed the project’s success to local workers, engineers and the community. “Ninety percent of the workforce comes from Kashmir, Doda and Banihal. Their resilience and discipline have been instrumental,” he said.
Another official said the Z-Morh tunnel, built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) to suit Himalayan geology, spans 6.4 km, with an additional 4.8 km approach road connecting it to Kulan on NH1. “It links Sonamarg via a 0.9-km road on the eastern side,” he said.
He informed Excelsior that Z-Morh tunnel is part of a broader infrastructure initiative that includes the 13.5-km Zojila tunnel, slated for completion in December 2026. Together, these projects will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh, which often faces severe winter disruptions. “The tunnel also has strategic significance for the military, facilitating uninterrupted logistics for soldiers stationed in Ladakh,” he said.
Local residents are optimistic about its impact. “Sonamarg remains closed for six months, affecting tourism and livelihoods. The tunnel will boost tourism and provide safe travel through avalanche-prone areas,” Ishfaq Ahmad, a local resident, said. He said it will reduce travel time from Gagangir to Sonsmarg to just 30 minutes and give a boost to winter tourism in the region.
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