What is the Z-Morh Tunnel project in Kashmir, inaugurated by PM Modi?

The stretch where the tunnel has been constructed is situated at an altitude of over 8,500 feet, and is prone to snow avalanches in the winter. The road to Sonamarg as such remains closed for most part of the winter.

When did work commence?

The tunnel project was originally conceived by the Border Roads Organisation in 2012. The BRO awarded the construction contract to Tunnelway Ltd. However, the project was later taken over by the NHIDCL, which retendered it and the contract was bagged by APCO Infratech, which executed the project through a special purpose vehicle, APCO-Shri Amarnathji Tunnel Private Limited.

While the project was expected to be completed by August 2023, it was delayed. The soft-opening of the tunnel was carried out in February 2024. While the tunnel project is almost complete, its inauguration was delayed by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place because of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in the latter half of the year.

Seven people were killed on October 20 when suspected militants targeted the workers of infrastructure company APCO Infratech. This was the first militant attack on a key infrastructure project in Jammu and Kashmir.

What is the strategic importance of the Z-Morh tunnel?

The Z-Morh tunnel is part of the Zojila tunnel project that aims to provide all weather connectivity from Srinagar to Ladakh throughout the year.

While the tunnel would give all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg health resort in the Valley, it is essential for all-weather connectivity to Ladakh. This is important, as it would provide quick access for military personnel to the border areas of Ladakh. While the construction of the Zojilla tunnel at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet connecting Sonamarg in Kashmir valley to Drass in Ladakh is under way and is expected to be completed by December 2026, the opening of the Z-Morh tunnel is essential for its all-weather connectivity.

The construction of the tunnel will provide safe connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions. The Indian defence forces are deployed against Pakistan in Siachen Glacier and in the Turtuk sub sector, which abuts Baltistan in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Similarly, there is widespread Indian Army deployment against Chinese forces in Eastern Ladakh, which has increased manifold after the 2020 face off with Chinese troops.

All-weather road connectivity will lessen the dependence of air maintenance of the forward locations of the Army through the transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The transportation of troops and supplies will be done by road and this will lead to lesser expenditure on the use of aircraft and also increasing the life of the aircraft.

with inputs from Man Aman Singh Chhina