Srinagar, 13 January 2025: Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the 6.4 km long Z-morh tunnel in Ganderbal, Kashmir, on Monday at 11:45 am. The tunnel, situated on the Srinagar-Leh highway NH-1, will provide year-round connectivity between Srinagar and Sonmarg, which traditionally remained cut off for six months due to heavy snowfall.
With the tunnel’s completion, the travel time from Gagangir to Sonmarg, once over an hour, is now reduced to just 15 minutes.
The tunnel will increase vehicle speed from 30 km/h to 70 km/h, shrinking the journey from 3 to 4 hours across the challenging mountainous region to just 45 minutes.
The project holds additional strategic importance for national security by facilitating easier access for the army to reach Ladakh.
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It also allows for more cost-effective transportation of military equipment by road, which was previously airlifted during winter months.
The project began in 2012 but faced delays due to the pandemic and the imposition of the election code of conduct. Built under a public-private partnership model, the Rs 2,700 crore tunnel took 12 years to complete.
A total of Rs 36 crore was spent on land acquisition and infrastructure planning before construction commenced. Situated 2,600 meters above sea level, the tunnel is about 400 meters below the existing road.
The Zojila tunnel, which will ensure all-weather connectivity to Baltal, Kargil, and Ladakh, is still under construction and is expected to be completed in 2026.
