NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 to inaugurate the Z-Morh Tunnel, a significant infrastructure project aimed at making Sonamarg a year-round tourist destination. The tunnel, located on the Srinagar-Sonamarg road, is set to provide uninterrupted access to the scenic hill station, no matter the weather.

Currently, the Gagangir-Sonamarg stretch of the road faces regular disruptions due to heavy snowfall and avalanches, particularly in winter. These natural obstacles often block the road for several months each year. However, the Z-Morh Tunnel, a 6.5 km long, two-lane tunnel, will offer an all-weather alternative. By bypassing the dangerous and avalanche-prone road, it will ensure smooth travel to Sonamarg throughout the year.

The tunnel, named after the "Z-turn" stretch of road it replaces, will dramatically cut travel time. The 6.5 km journey through the tunnel takes just 15 minutes, compared to several hours on the winding road up and down the hills.

This new tunnel is part of a larger project that includes the nearby Zoji-La Tunnel, which, along with Z-Morh, will provide crucial, year-round connectivity to key areas in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The improved access will benefit travelers to Baltal (the base for the Amarnath Cave), Kargil, and other important locations in the Ladakh region. In addition to supporting tourism, these tunnels will play a key role in military logistics.

The Z-Morh Tunnel is also expected to create job opportunities for local youth, boosting both the tourism industry and the overall economy of the region. This project is one of 31 planned road tunnels in the region, with 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh.

Work on the Z-Morh Tunnel began in 2018, but the project has faced challenges, including a tragic terror attack on October 20, 2024. During the attack, two terrorists targeted a workers' camp in Gagangir, killing seven people, including six non-local workers and a local doctor.

This development marks a major step forward in improving connectivity, safety, and economic growth for the region.

On October 20, 2024, a horrific terror attack targeted the tunnel workers at Gagangir. Two terrorists stormed the workers' camp, opening fire without warning. The brutal assault left seven civilians dead, including six non-local employees working for the company constructing the Z-Morh tunnel. Tragically, a local doctor also lost his life in the attack.

The construction of the tunnel had begun in 2018, and the workers were part of a critical infrastructure project when they were struck by this devastating act of violence.