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From paperwork to reality, Mian Altaf’s dream comes true

The 6.5-km tunnel along with a 5 km approach road is being developed by Apco Infratech Pvt Ltd
01:08 AM Jan 13, 2025 IST | Irfan Raina
From paperwork to reality, Mian Altaf’s dream comes true
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Ganderbal, Jan 12: As the Z-Morh Tunnel between Gagangair and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway has become a reality now and excitement is high for its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, people in Ganderbal district recall the extensive and consistent efforts that went into making this dream project a reality.

Constructed at a cost of over Rs 2700 crore and situated at an altitude of 8650 feet, the Z-Morh Tunnel is a crucial infrastructure project that includes a main tunnel, an egress tunnel, and approach roads.

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The 6.5-km tunnel along with a 5 km approach road is being developed by Apco Infratech Pvt Ltd.

It is a bi-directional tunnel with an escape tunnel for any eventuality.

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The project was conceived in 2012, with its foundation stone being laid by then Union Minister of Road C P Joshi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the presence of National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah, then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and then Minister of Forest and local Member of Legislative Assembly Mian Altaf Ahmad on October 4, 2012.

While the work started moving aggressively only after 2015, the project faced several challenges, including a two-year halt between 2017-2019 due to financial issues faced by the original executing agency IL&FS, who later abandoned the work.

The government had to invite fresh bids in June 2019, eventually awarding the project to APCO Amarnathji Tunnelway Pvt Ltd at Rs 2379 crore.

In his capacities as MLA and minister, including the Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmad kept taking up the matter of having the Z-Morh Tunnel at the highest government levels.

His interactions proved fruitful, and finally, there was consensus at the government level regarding the significant importance of having this tunnel.

As Forest Minister, he ensured speedy clearance from his department for the construction of the tunnel.

According to reports during that time, getting forest and environment-related clearances for such projects used to be a very tedious and time-consuming job.

Some of the land used for such projects belonged to the Forest Department, and then there used to be issues with the owners whose private land was utilised.

Mian Altaf played an important role in resolving issues pertaining to the project with the Forest Department as well as with private land owners, whose family members were offered jobs.

Reports said the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a meeting on J&K had complained that the central government intended to set up various development projects in J&K but too much delay in getting the Forest Department’s clearance was creating hurdles.

However, such hurdles did not come in the way of the Z-Morh Tunnel project during Mian Altaf’s tenure as the Forest Minister.

The clearance was speedily done under the norms.

According to locals, Mian Altaf always wanted the Z-Morh Tunnel for having all-weather connectivity with the famous tourist resort, Sonamarg.

The locals greatly benefit from tourism in Sonamarg.

The avalanche-prone road towards the tourist spot used to get blocked for several months in winter.

The tunnel would also help in making the Srinagar-Leh National Highway an all-weather road after the completion of the Zojila Tunnel a few years later.

“Having the Z-Morh Tunnel was my dream. I kept on making efforts in this direction. I also took up the matter with a top official of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) during his visit. He met the then Governor N N Vohra and informed him about my demand. Vohra Sahab agreed to my suggestion,” Mian Altaf, presently a Member of Parliament (MP), told Greater Kashmir.

He said that besides Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad, then a minister in central government, helped in getting the tunnel sanctioned, and subsequently, the required steps were taken in this direction.

Mian Altaf said his efforts continued and bore fruit.

The MP thanked all, including the present central government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for the Z-Morh Tunnel completion.

This development is expected to boost tourism by making Sonamarg a year-round destination, promoting winter sports, and enhancing local livelihoods, while also proving a step towards making the Srinagar-Leh National Highway an all-weather road.

 

 

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