On January 13, the Prime Minister inaugurated the much-awaited 'Z-Morh' tunnel in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir. This tunnel is not a mere infrastructure project; it signifies a major advance of India's strategic capabilities and tourism. Let us take a glance at some interesting facts about the Z-Morh tunnel.

What is the Z-Morh Tunnel?

Spanning 6.5 km, the Z-Morh tunnel connects Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir with Srinagar and Ladakh. The term "Z-Morh" is employed because of the winding roads shaped like the letter Z that exist in that region. Accessibility to Sonamarg often was obstructed due to the freezing snowfall in the winter. With the construction of the tunnel through Z-Morh, Sonamarg could now be reached all year-round and offered unbroken access in all seasons.

The importance

Z-Morh tunnel is positioned at an altitude of 8,500 ft and is therefore vital to the Indian defence lines. The tunnel connects the civilian public but its role in the country's defence might be beyond that. It will improve the army's ability to access Ladakh promptly, thus ensuring better troop and logistics movement-timely delivery of essential supplies in borders-as a strategic measure for promotion of logistics faster and in a secured way during conflicts or emergencies thereby boosting India's defensive capacity in the region.

The Z-Morh tunnel extends India's vital geo-strategic advantage over China and Pakistan, with minimal chances of an infiltration attempt. The 1999 Kargil war had witnessed immense difficulties in provisioning troops and weapons to the border. The Z-Morh and Zojila tunnel projects, once completed, will resolve the problem of accessibility and ensure a rapid and swift approach to these important areas. These will tremendously enhance the operational capability of the Indian army.

Cost of Rs 2,700 crore

The Z-Morh tunnel has been built by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) at a whopping cost of Rs 2700 crore. The use of state-of-the-art technology is incorporated to withstand the harsh winter conditions of the region. The engineering standards would make sure that the tunnel remains open to travel at all times, no matter what kind of weather it sees. 

Boosting tourism

Previously, Sonamarg was being cut off from the rest of the world during winter due to heavy snowfall which made the access to the brilliant valley difficult. With the completion of the Z-Morh tunnel, tourists will now be able to enjoy Sonamarg all year round. This will enhance the local economy further, which depends substantially on tourism for the livelihood of the people in Kashmir and Ladakh. Easy access, therefore, will entice tourists to visit and thrive the region. 

Work started in 2012

Construction of the Z-Morh tunnel commenced in 2012 under the aegis of the BRO. The project embodied a myriad of interruptions and challenges along the way, but ultimately was completed by APCO Infratech. While constructing the tunnel, a number of peculiar geographical and environmental obstacles developed, which were finally solved through ingenious engineering and innovative techniques. The tunnel, despite all these challenges, is indeed a tribute to human perseverance and technological advancement. 

Zojila tunnel 

The Zojila tunnel will be completed by the year 2026, following the finish of the Z-Morh tunnel. This tunnel would follow Z-Morh and create a direct connection between Sonamarg to the Dras region in Ladakh. Together, the Z-Morh and Zojila tunnels improve very significantly the rapidity and comfort with which security forces can be deployed along the India-China and India-Pakistan borders.

Why was it necessary?

Heavy snowfall during the Kargil War made the region inaccessible for prolonged periods, presenting an enormous challenge to the Indian Army to ferry supplies and artillery to the forward areas. The experience brought home the pressing need for all-weather connectivity in the Himalayan regions. The government realised that constructing tunnels, such as the Z-Morh tunnel, would provide year-round access to these strategic areas, allowing unhindered movement of troops, supplies, and artillery, irrespective of the weather. 

How will local trade and employment increase?

The Z Morh tunnel will greatly boost trade and employment in the region. Thousands of people were employed during its construction, creating direct economic benefits for the area. Increased accessibility will add to the number of visitors, creating an increased demand for local goods and services, providing a much-needed boost in jobs and, hence, revitalizing the economy of the region. 

Equipped with modern technology

The Z-Morh tunnel is a state-of-the-art tunnel operated with safety and efficiency in mind, including the most updated ventilation system, fire safety measures, and CCTV surveillance for continual monitoring. It has been specially designed to resist natural disasters like landslides and heavy snowfall as well as possible terrorist attacks in strength and has been equipped with tough security and disaster-resilient features to remain operational in all kinds of adversities.