Built at an altitude of 8,652 feet, the Z-Morh tunnel connects Gagangir and Sonmarg, a popular tourist destination.
'Kashmir’s transformation underway': PM Modi pledges to eliminate challenges ...
“Every decision requires the right moment...," says the Prime Minister on the demand for restoration of the statehood.
On August 5, 2019, the day Article 370 was aboragated; Jammu and Kashmir erstwhile state was split. Ladakh was given Union Territory status without legislature while J&K was made a Union Territory with legislature.
In the recent assembly polls, the Omar Abdulllah-led National Conference came to power.
The Chief Minister has been repeatedly demanding restoration of the Statehood status. On this Prime Minister Modi said:
"... I am committed to keeping my word...“Every decision requires the right moment".
Mr Modi inaugurated the Sonamarg tunnel on Monday, Jan 13th.
The project, initiated in 2015 under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was completed last year at a cost of Rs 2,400 crore.
This is seen as a significant step toward ensuring all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
The 6.5-km-long, two-lane tunnel is located on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway and promises to transform travel in the region.
Built at an altitude of 8,652 feet, the Z-Morh tunnel connects Gagangir and Sonmarg, a popular tourist destination.
It bypasses avalanche-prone stretches of the highway, cutting travel time from over two hours to just 15 minutes.
The Z-Morh tunnel is part of the Centre's broader initiative to enhance connectivity in the Himalayan region. Together with the under-construction 14-km-long Zoji La tunnel, it forms a crucial link to Ladakh. The Zoji La tunnel, expected to be completed by 2028, will eliminate the need to traverse the dangerous 11,575-foot Zoji La Pass.
The Prime Minister began his address by paying tribute to the civilian workers who lost their lives during the construction of the 6.4 km, Rs 2,700-crore Sonamarg tunnel.
“Despite grave dangers, no worker chose to leave the site, even after a terrorist attack claimed seven lives at the Gagangir camp," he said adding, their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
“From new railways and roads to tunnels and bridges, these projects are paving the way for a ‘Naya Kashmir'," he asserted.
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