How the Z-Morh Tunnel will be a strategic & vital link between Kashmir and Ladakh

Views of the tunnel entrance & Sonmarg from the air. pic.twitter.com/yLOvW87JCW

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) January 11, 2025

The Need for the Z-Morh Tunnel

At an altitude of over 8,500 feet, the region where the Z-Morh Tunnel is being built is prone to heavy snowfall and avalanches during the winter months. Each year, the road leading to Sonamarg remains impassable for most of the season, cutting off the region from the rest of Kashmir and halting the flow of visitors. Sonamarg, known for its stunning landscapes, alpine meadows, and glaciers, relies heavily on tourism, which suffers greatly due to the road’s seasonal closure.

The Z-Morh tunnel stretches approximately 6.4 km and features a 5.6 km approach road connecting Gagangir in Ganderbal district with Sonamarg. (@OmarAbdullah/X)

More critically, the same road serves as a key artery for strategic military access to Ladakh, a region that has grown in importance for India’s defense infrastructure. Until now, winter travel to Ladakh often depended on air routes, as snow-blocked roads were unsafe for transport. The Z-Morh Tunnel is designed to change that, providing all-weather access that will benefit both the civilian and military sectors.

A decade in the making: Construction challenges and delays

The Z-Morh Tunnel project was originally conceived in 2012 by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a unit of India’s Ministry of Defense responsible for maintaining roads in border areas. Initially, the construction contract was awarded to Tunnelway Ltd., but the project stalled due to financial and administrative challenges. Eventually, it was taken over by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which retendered the project.

The Z-Morh Tunnel project was originally conceived in 2012 by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a unit of India’s Ministry of Defense responsible for maintaining roads in border areas.

In the second round of bidding, APCO Infratech, an Indian construction firm, won the contract and formed a special purpose vehicle, APCO-Shri Amarnathji Tunnel Private Limited, to execute the project. Although the original completion date was set for August 2023, the timeline was delayed, and a soft opening of the tunnel was held in February 2024. However, the final inauguration has been postponed due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

Despite these delays, the project is nearing completion, bringing hope to locals, tourists, and military personnel alike. The Z-Morh Tunnel, once fully operational, will be a significant step toward connecting Kashmir’s valley to the cold desert of Ladakh, a region that has remained cut off by snow for much of the year.

The Z-Morh tunnel complements ongoing efforts to construct the Zoji-la Tunnel, Asia’s longest under-construction tunnel, which aims to further enhance connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh by reducing travel times across challenging terrains. (@OmarAbdullah/X)

Strategic Importance: Connecting Kashmir to Ladakh

The Z-Morh Tunnel is a crucial part of the broader Zojila Tunnel project, which aims to establish uninterrupted connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. While the Z-Morh Tunnel connects Sonamarg to the rest of Kashmir year-round, the Zojila Tunnel—under construction at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet—will connect Sonamarg with Drass in Ladakh. The Zojila Tunnel, which is expected to be completed by December 2026, will provide all-weather access to Ladakh’s strategic border regions, including Kargil and Leh.

This connectivity is vital for India’s defense posture in the region. Ladakh shares long and contentious borders with both Pakistan and China, and has witnessed increased military activity since the 2020 standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. The Z-Morh Tunnel, along with the future Zojila Tunnel, will greatly reduce the reliance on air transport for moving military personnel, equipment, and supplies to the forward areas near these borders.

The tunnel’s construction will ensure secure connectivity among the regions of Srinagar, Dras, Kargil, and Leh. (@OmarAbdullah/X)

Currently, the Indian Army relies heavily on air maintenance of its forward positions, using transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force to reach the farthest posts. However, road connectivity enabled by the Z-Morh Tunnel will lessen this dependence, allowing for more cost-effective and efficient transportation of troops and resources. Additionally, it will extend the life of military aircraft, which currently bear the burden of year-round supply missions to Ladakh’s remote locations.

In a region where geopolitical tensions remain high, especially along the Siachen Glacier and the Turtuk sub-sector bordering Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), this improved road connectivity will provide India with a strategic advantage. With better access to its border posts, the Indian military will be able to respond more swiftly and with greater logistical support to any potential conflict in Ladakh, whether against Pakistan or China.

A promising future for tourism and trade

Beyond its strategic military importance, the Z-Morh Tunnel is poised to bring significant economic benefits to the region. Tourism is one of the main drivers of the local economy in Sonamarg, and the tunnel’s ability to keep the resort town accessible year-round will help revive businesses that have long suffered due to the seasonal closure of roads.

Furthermore, the tunnel will also improve trade and transportation between Kashmir and Ladakh. Farmers and traders who depend on the Srinagar-Leh highway to transport goods will benefit from reduced travel time and improved road safety. With year-round access, there is hope that more investment will flow into the region, boosting local economies and improving the quality of life for residents.

The Z-Morh Tunnel is not just a marvel of modern engineering; it is a critical infrastructure project that promises to bring security, prosperity, and connectivity to one of India’s most isolated regions.