Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Sonmarg tunnel at approximately 11:45 AM on Monday for its inauguration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Monday to inaugurate the strategically crucial Z-Morh (Sonamarg) tunnel in Ganderbal district. Extensive security measures have been implemented, with the PM’s security team taking charge of the event venue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Sonamarg Tunnel around 11:45 AM on Monday for its inauguration. He is also expected to deliver an address from the site.
For the event, security is being managed by Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces, and the Army. According to officials cited in a PTI report, extensive area domination exercises, searches, and patrols are underway to ensure the smooth conduct of the inauguration.
Sharpshooters have been stationed at key vulnerable points, and both aerial and technical surveillance, including drones, are being employed. The area is under continuous monitoring, officials confirmed.
“Security has been significantly strengthened near the Z-Morh tunnel. Multi-layered security measures have been implemented, with the PM’s security team, including SPG personnel, taking control of the event venue,” officials stated.
The Special Protection Group (SPG) is a government agency responsible for safeguarding the Prime Minister of India and their immediate family members.
Authorities closed the Srinagar-Leh national highway from Saturday to Monday, citing “icy road conditions due to inclement weather” and to allow road maintenance work. However, according to a PTI report, there is widespread speculation that the closure is also in preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit.
Z-Morh Tunnel
Constructed at a cost of ₹2,400 crore along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, the 6.5-km Z-Morh tunnel is expected to enhance year-round road accessibility to the Ladakh region.
Work on the Z-Morh tunnel project began in May 2015 and was completed last year, with a soft opening held in February 2024.
This tunnel is crucial for national defense, particularly in the Ladakh region near the China border, and serves as a key link connecting the youngest Union Territory to the rest of the country.
Z-Morh Tunnel Features
The Z-Morh (Sonamarg) tunnel is located at an altitude of 8,650 feet and spans 12 kilometers. It includes the 6.4-km Sonamarg main tunnel, an egress tunnel, and approach roads.
This two-lane road tunnel is equipped with a parallel 7.5-meter-wide escape passage for emergencies.
The tunnel is expected to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, bypassing hazardous landslide and avalanche-prone areas, ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically important Ladakh region. Before its construction, the road to Sonamarg was often impassable during heavy snowfall and harsh winters, hindering travel to the area. As a result, the Z-Morh tunnel is vital for both tourism and defense purposes.
Along with the under-construction Zojila tunnel, the Z-Morh tunnel will ensure continuous connectivity for both military and civilian traffic to Baltal and Ladakh. It is also expected to boost tourism by making Sonamarg a year-round destination, encouraging winter tourism, adventure sports, and supporting local livelihoods.
‘Engineering Marvel’
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which oversees the project, has hailed it as an “engineering marvel” that will be a game-changer for the region.
In a statement on the microblogging platform X, NHIDCL said, “The Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir is a game-changer for the region, offering more than just a connection between Gagangir and Sonamarg. This engineering marvel is poised to unlock the full potential of the region’s trade and tourism sectors.”
The tunnel is equipped with advanced technologies that offer real-time updates and ensure seamless connectivity for users.
Upon the completion of the Zojila Tunnel, expected by 2028, both tunnels will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and increase vehicle speed from 30 km per hour to 70 km per hour, guaranteeing uninterrupted NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
