Mohammad Hanief
The long-awaited Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir is poised to be a major milestone in improving connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the tunnel on January 13, 2025, marking a transformative moment for the region. Located in the scenic Ganderbal district, this tunnel promises to ensure year-round access to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination, overcoming the severe winter disruptions caused by snow and avalanches.
For years, heavy snowfall and dangerous conditions at the Zojila Pass had caused frequent road blockages, making it difficult for travellers to reach Sonamarg during the winter months. The Z-Morh Tunnel, built at a cost of Rs 2,680 crore, is set to eliminate these challenges by bypassing landslide-prone and avalanche-affected areas, providing a safe and reliable route. The completion of the Z-Morh Tunnel comes as a much-needed relief for local hoteliers and tourism stakeholders. With the tunnel’s opening, Sonamarg’s tourism potential is expected to see a significant boost.
The Z-Morh tunnel ensures that the picturesque tourist destination of Sonamarg remains accessible throughout the year. Earlier, heavy snowfall and avalanches cut off the area during winters, limiting its tourism potential. Built under the Thajiwas Glacier, the tunnel bypasses landslide- and avalanche-prone areas, making travel safer and more reliable.
The Locals have expressed optimism about the Z-Morh tunnel, viewing it as a transformative step for Sonamarg’s tourism industry. They believe the tunnel addresses a critical need to position Sonamarg as a prominent winter destination in Kashmir. By ensuring reliable access, the tunnel is expected to pave the way for the development of new winter tourism hotspots, fostering economic growth and attracting more visitors to the region.
Jammu and Kashmir where the maximum tunnels in the country are being constructed right now. The road tunnels completed in the last few years and those under construction are together over 70 km long. These projects are underway in the most treacherous mountainous regions of the country, at great heights and where temperatures go below -10 degrees.
Next on the table is the all-important Zojila Tunnel, which could open by the end of 2026. Both the 6.5-km-long Z-Morh and the 13.15-km-long Zojila tunnels together would ensure all-weather road connectivity to Ladakh, the biggest game-changer for India strategically. An approach road of 17 km from Sonmarg to Baltal towards the Zojila Tunnel is ready.
This infrastructure not only enhances connectivity but also promotes adventure tourism around the Thajiwas Glacier and Sindh River. The Z-Morh tunnel paves the way for the Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest under-construction tunnel. The 13.14-km Zojila tunnel, built at a cost of Rs 6,800 crore, will cut through the Himalayan range at Zojila Pass, connecting Ganderbal in Kashmir with Drass in Kargil. Once completed, travel time between Ganderbal and Kargil will be reduced from three hours to just 20 minutes.
The strategic location of the Zojila tunnel is critical for the movement of goods and defence logistics to Ladakh. Currently, Ladakh remains cut off during winter due to the closure of the Zojila Pass. The tunnel will ensure seamless connectivity even in harsh weather conditions, boosting economic and social development in the region.
The inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel is a turning point moment for Kashmir and Ladakh, promising year-round accessibility and a boost to tourism and economic activity. As the region braces for enhanced connectivity, projects like the Zojila tunnel will further solidify the strategic and economic integration of this vital corridor into India’s growth story.
In 2017, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi inaugurated the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, which was 9 km long and gave all-weather connectivity between Udhampur and Ramban. It was Asia’s longest bi-directional highway tunnel and had cut the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours.
In 2021, the PM inaugurated the Banihal-Qazigund Road Tunnel below the Banihal Pass in the PirPanjal mountain range, which had been under construction for a decade. At 8.45 km long, this tunnel reduced the distance between the cities of Srinagar and Jammu by 16 km.
Big rail tunnel projects to provide rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country have also been implemented. The longest transportation tunnel in the country on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) was opened by the PM last year.
Eight more key tunnel projects are under implementation in Jammu and Kashmir. These include the Singhpora-Vailoo Tunnel, which will be a record 10.3 km long, Sadhna Pass Tunnel, Razdan Pass Tunnel, Katra-Banihal Railway Tunnel, Mata BalaSundri Tunnel, Chattergala Tunnel, and Dessa-Kapran Tunnel.
Sonamarg- The highly anticipated Z-Morh tunnel, a critical infrastructure project, which has been completed and will be thrown open on January 13, is expected to transform the region’s connectivity and economy.Once operational, the tunnel will reduce travel time from Gagangheer to Sonamarg – a renowned tourist destination – to just 20 to 25 minutes, cutting down hours of travel and offering safe, year-round access to the popular tourist destination.
The Z-Morh Tunnel, which has been under construction since 2018, is a key infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity between Ganderbal and the higher reaches of Kashmir. The tunnel is a vital part of J&K’s road network, reducing travel time and improving access to remote areas, especially during the winter months when heavy snowfall can block key passes.
The tunnel, which was under construction for several years, will also ensure that the road to Sonamarg remains open even during the harsh winter months when heavy snowfall and avalanches often force the closure of the highway for extended periods. This development is expected to alleviate one of the most crucial challenges faced by locals and travellers by providing uninterrupted access to the region’s scenic beauty and strategic border areas.
Equipped with modern amenities and state-of-the-art safety features, the Z-Morh tunnel is expected to enhance tourism in Sonamarg, renowned for its winter sports and breathtaking landscapes to boost the tourism and business economy of the region. The Z-Morh tunnel is set to become a significant milestone in building a strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh, ensuring year-round connectivity.