The Z-Morh Tunnel is transforming Sonamarg into a year-round tourist destination, providing 24/7 connectivity and significantly boosting local businesses and employment opportunities. Constructed at a cost of ₹2,717 crore, the 11.98 km-long tunnel in Ganderbal district is revolutionizing travel, ensuring seamless access even during harsh winter months.
Previously, Sonamarg remained inaccessible for nearly six months every year due to heavy snowfall. However, with the Z-Morh Tunnel now operational, the region is witnessing an influx of tourists from Srinagar and Ganderbal, driving economic growth and supporting local vendors who can now earn year-round. A local vendor expressed his excitement, stating, “Earlier, we had no work for six months. Now, with tourists coming throughout the year, businesses are thriving, and employment opportunities have increased.”
The tunnel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13, in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, J&K LG Manoj Sinha, and former CM Omar Abdullah. Calling it a “Marvel of Engineering,” Gadkari highlighted the tunnel’s strategic importance in ensuring year-round connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
The bi-directional, 6.4-km tunnel is equipped with a parallel escape tunnel for enhanced safety, a 3.7-km creeper lane for heavy vehicles, a 4.6-km western approach road, a 0.9-km eastern approach road, along with two major and one minor bridge. The project aligns with PM Modi’s vision to develop Jammu and Kashmir’s infrastructure, making it a world-class travel destination.
With winter sports, breathtaking landscapes, and uninterrupted accessibility, Sonamarg is set to emerge as a top tourist hotspot, drawing visitors throughout the year and strengthening the region’s economy.
