January 13, 2025 will be auspicious in several ways. Even as crores of devotees took the auspicious dip at the Mahakumbh… overseen by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (January 13) inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel, an engineering marvel and a strategically significant project of immense strategic importance located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
The name Z-Morh actually derives from the Z-shaped roadway that was in place before the tunnel’s construction, which was situated at an elevation of over 8,500 feet and was prey to avalanches all through the winter and this subsequently led to the closure of Sonamarg throughout the chilly months of the year.
Meanwhile, the construction of the Zoji-la Tunnel—linking Sonamarg in Kashmir to Drass in Ladakh—is in progress, with its completion slated for December 2026.
Significance and Location:
Z-Morh Tunnel is strategically located to jack up connectivity in the region and will eventually play a crucial role in reducing travel time and help immensely to provide access between critical areas.
Future developments:
When completed, the Z-Morh tunnel, alongside the Zojila Tunnel which is expected to be over by 2028, will shorten the travel route from 49 km to 43 km while increasing vehicle speed from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hr.
CM Omar reaction
Speaking earlier at the function, Abdullah pressed for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as promised by the Prime Minister before the assembly elections in September last year and said, "My heart believes that you will fulfil this promise soon".
Without making a direct reference to the issue of statehood, Modi told the gathering, "You have to believe that this is Modi and he keeps his promises."
"There is a right time for everything and right things will happen at the right time," he said.
Abdullah, while welcoming Modi, referred to his speech made on International Yoga Day last year and said, "You gave three very important points in your programme. You talked about 'dil ki duri' (distance between hearts) and 'Dilli se duri' (distance of people of Jammu and Kashmir with Delhi) and said you are trying to eliminate both these things."
He said it was an honour to have the PM inaugurating two important projects in Jammu and Kashmir within a span of 15 days. Last week, Modi virtually inaugurated the Jammu railway division.
CM Abdullah expressed optimism regarding the Z-Morh tunnel’s impact on tourism, with his statement highlighting that the tunnel will facilitate the development of Sonamarg as a premier ski resort, allowing residents to remain in the region during winter and significantly decreasing travel time to Kargil and Leh from Srinagar.
The project, over 10 years in the making, has finally been completed at a cost of Rs 2,400 crore. In addition to being a two-lane, bi-directional structure, the tunnel also has a parallel escape tunnel, which can be used for emergencies as well as a railway tunnel.
The tunnel can handle up to 1,000 vehicles per hour at a maximum speed of 80 kmph. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) has been used.
KEY DETAILS
*Name Origin: The Z-Morh Tunnel is named after the Z-shaped stretch of road it replaces, 'Z-Morh' translating to 'Z-turn' in Hindi.
*Connectivity: It links Gagangir to Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, spanning 6.5 km with an additional 6.05 km of approach roads.
*Altitude: Positioned at an elevation of 2,637 meters (8,652 feet) above sea level.
*Purpose: Provides all-weather access to Sonamarg, bypassing the previously dangerous, avalanche-prone Z-turn road.
*Specifications: A two-lane, bi-directional tunnel, 10 meters wide, with a parallel 7.5-meter-wide escape tunnel that doubles as a railway tunnel.
*Capacity: Designed to accommodate up to 1,000 vehicles per hour at speeds of up to 80 km/h.
*Significance: Part of the NH1 Srinagar-Leh Highway and approved at a cost of Rs 2,400 crore.
*Features: Equipped with a modern ventilation system and two portals, the tunnel is designed for safety and efficiency.
A tourism booster
The Z-Morh tunnel is expected to boost tourism in the region and will bring fortune to the area.
With the completion of the tunnel, the tourist town of Sonamarg — which is also known as the ‘Meadow of Gold’ — will be accessible throughout the year enabling businesses which otherwise would have been shut.
The new tunnel will also reduce travel time between Gagangeer and Sonamarg to just 20-25 minutes and mind it the travel will be an uninterrupted access throughout the year.
Hoteliers, traders and others are optimistic about the tunnel’s potential to unlock immense tourism prospects. They are also hoping that it will open up new avenues for adventure sports and winter tourism.
The Z-Morh tunnel will also improve trade and transport between Kashmir and Ladakh. The farmers and traders will benefit as the tunnel will immensely reduce travel time and also improve driving experience and thereby road safety. Moreover, by providing year-round access, there is a possibility that more investments will flow into the region, boosting the local economy.
Z-Morh tunnel’s strategic importance
Apart from providing all-year connectivity and boosting trade and tourism, the Z-Morh tunnel is expected to provide a strategic edge.
Part of the broader Zojila Tunnel project, the Z-Morh tunnel will connect Sonamarg to the rest of Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Zojila Tunnel, which is expected to be completed by 2028, will connect Sonamarg to Drass in Ladakh. Thus, both the tunnels will provide all-weather access to Ladakh’s strategic border regions, including Kargil and Leh.
This is significant as Ladakh borders Pakistan and China. With the tunnel, India’s dependence on air transport to move personnel as well as equipment to forward areas will be reduced now significantly.
Currently, the Indian Army has to depend heavily on air transport to move supplies. However, with this tunnel, it will be cost-effective for the military. It will also extend the life of military aircraft, which currently bear the burden of year-round supply missions to Ladakh’s remote locations.
Tunnel network in Jammu-Kashmir
The Z-Morh tunnel is a part of the network of 31 tunnels being built in the region. Twenty tunnels are being built in Jammu-Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh — at a combined investment of Rs 2,680 crore.
(Writer is Senior Journalist and former senior Associate Editor, O Heraldo, Goa)