On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sonamarg town, boosting year-round tourism in the town, granting tourists an all-weather access to Sonamarg. The J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the Z-Morh Tunnel in Sonamarg. As per the press release, PM Modi was to visit the Sonamarg Tunnel at around 11.45 am, which would be followed by its inauguration.
Prime Minister will also meet the construction workers who have worked meticulously in the harshest conditions, acknowledging their contribution to this engineering feat. The Sonamarg Tunnel project, around 12 km long, has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. It comprises of the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km in length, an egress tunnel and approach roads. Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, it will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg enroute to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region.
I am eagerly awaiting my visit to Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir for the tunnel inauguration. You rightly point out the benefits for tourism and the local economy.
Also, loved the aerial pictures and videos! https://t.co/JCBT8Ei175
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2025
The newly made Sonamarg tunnel will also promote tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods. Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hr, ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh. This enhanced connectivity will boost defence logistics, and drive economic growth and socio-cultural integration across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Omar Abdullah, who visited the site to review preparations for the inauguration on Saturday, stated that the Z-morh Tunnel would make Sonmarg a year-round tourist destination. “Sonmarg will now be developed as a great ski resort,” Abdullah said. He added that the new tunnel would also reduce travel time to Kargil and Leh from Srinagar, benefiting both tourists and locals.
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