Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the Sonamarg Tunnel on 13 January.
The Tunnel is a critical infrastructure project that will not only provide all-weather connectivity to the world famous tourist resort of Sonamarg but will also help connect Kashmir and Ladakh throughout the year.
Developed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the Sonamarg Tunnel is a 6.412 km-long tunnel that connects Sonamarg with Kangan town in the central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Team NHIDCL led by Managing Director Dr.Krishan Kumar worked relentlessly to complete the critical infrastructure in Kashmir with lot of determination and grit.
Constructed near Gagangir village near Sonamarg, a famous tourist destination on the Srinagar-Leh highway, the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to it as well as Ladakh, which is important for strategic and military reasons.
A 6.4 km bi-directional tunnel with an approach road of 5.6 km, Z-Morh joins Gagangir in Ganderbal with Sonamarg health resort, which will help to boost winter tourism.
Sonamarg Tunnel (Z-Morh) has acquired its name for the Z-shaped road stretch that was previously at the place where the tunnel is being constructed. The stretch was situated at an altitude of over 8,500 feet and was prone to snow avalanches in the winter, thus closing the Sonamarg road for most part of the winter.
Tight Security is in place throughout Kashmir, especially around the tunnel project and the Ganderbal district, for the PM’s visit to the Union Territory.
Chief Minister Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah visited Sonmarg today to review preparations for PM@narendramodi ji’s visit on Monday.
He wrote on X “The inauguration of the Z-morh tunnel will open Sonmarg to tourism all year round, Sonmarg will now be developed as a great ski resort. The local population will not have to leave in winter & the travel time to Kargil/Leh from Srinagar will also reduce.”