Sonamarg, Jan 9: The much-anticipated Z-Morh Tunnel, a 6.5 km-long critical infrastructure project on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, is slated for inauguration next week by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to government officials.
While the exact inauguration date is yet to be confirmed, sources suggest that the event will likely take place on either January 13 or 14. Preparations for the visit have already commenced, with authorities ramping up efforts to ensure a smooth and secure ceremony.
Senior officials from both the civil and police administration have visited the Z-Morh Tunnel site to assess readiness ahead of the prime minister’s visit. Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi; Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Central Kashmir Range (CKR); Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Ganderbal; Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal; and representatives from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and APCO Amarnathji Tunnelway Pvt Ltd, all toured the site for a comprehensive review.
Once operational, the Z-Morh Tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination in Ganderbal district. The bi-directional tunnel, equipped with an escape tunnel for emergencies, promises to significantly improve access to this scenic region.
The project, which also includes a 5-km approach road, carries an estimated cost of Rs 2400 crore. However, the project faced delays between 2017 and 2019 due to financial difficulties encountered by the initial executing agency, Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS), which eventually abandoned the project.
In June 2019, the government invited fresh bids for the completion of the tunnel, ultimately awarding the project to APCO Amarnathji Tunnelway Pvt Ltd. The total cost of the project was revised to Rs 2379 crore under a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) annuity model.
