Mon Jan 13 12:12:29 UTC 2025: ## Modi Inaugurates Strategically Important Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir
**Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir —** Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 6.5-km Z-Morh tunnel, a strategically and economically vital infrastructure project in Jammu and Kashmir. The tunnel, also known as the Sonamarg Tunnel, connects Gagangir to Sonamarg, providing all-weather access to the region for the first time. Located at an altitude of 8,562 feet, it replaces a treacherous, avalanche-prone road, significantly improving connectivity and safety.
The project is expected to boost the local economy, transforming Sonamarg into a major winter sports destination comparable to Gulmarg. Improved access will also benefit pilgrims traveling to the Amarnath Yatra and facilitate easier travel to Ladakh, eliminating the need for overnight stays in Kargil. The tunnel will play a crucial role in national security, providing the Indian Army with all-weather access to northern areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, enhancing vigilance along the Line of Control and Line of Actual Control. When combined with the upcoming Zojila tunnel, all-weather access from Sonamarg to Dras will be established.
The inauguration comes after a tragic October attack near the tunnel site that claimed the lives of six construction workers and a doctor. Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to the victims during the inauguration ceremony. The two-lane tunnel features a parallel escape tunnel and is designed to handle up to 1,000 vehicles per hour. The Z-Morh tunnel is part of a larger initiative involving the construction of 31 tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with a total investment of Rs 2,680 crore.
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