Security beefed up around Z-Morh Tunnel, elsewhere in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 11: Security has been heightened around the Z-Morh Tunnel in Ganderbal district and elsewhere in Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on January 13, during which he will inaugurate the strategic tunnel.

The PM is also expected to address a public rally in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal.

Senior officials of the security establishment said that security measures had been tightened not only at the Z-Morh Tunnel but also across various parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar.

“Multi-layered security arrangements are in place, and the Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel have taken over the venue,” officials said. “The area is now almost off-limits to the people.”

J&K Police, paramilitary forces, and the Army have been deployed as part of the security framework. Extensive area domination exercises, searches, and patrols are being conducted to ensure the smooth execution of the event.

Sharpshooters have been positioned at vulnerable points, while aerial and technical surveillance, including drone monitoring, is being undertaken round the clock.

This visit follows a terror attack near the tunnel site in October last year, which resulted in the deaths of a doctor and six non-local labourers.

To facilitate the Prime Minister’s visit, authorities have closed the Srinagar-Leh National Highway from Saturday to Monday, officially citing icy road conditions and maintenance work.

Security in other parts of Kashmir including Srinagar has also been heightened while round-the-clock surveillance is in place.

Construction of the Z-Morh tunnel began in May 2015 and was completed last year, with a soft opening conducted in February 2024. Initially conceived and started by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 2012, the project faced delays and was later handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in 2019.

The NHIDCL retendered the project, with APCO Infratech taking over its execution.

In addition to its strategic importance for defence, the tunnel is expected to boost the region’s trade and tourism sectors by providing seamless connectivity to Sonamarg and beyond. The NHIDCL described the tunnel as an “engineering marvel” that sets a new standard for road infrastructure in the region.

Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, the Z-Morh tunnel offers real-time updates and enhanced connectivity for users. The tunnel’s inauguration is viewed as a milestone in infrastructure development in J&K, enhancing connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.

Along with the under-construction Zojila Tunnel, which is expected to be completed by December 2026, the Z-Morh tunnel will ensure uninterrupted access to Baltal and Ladakh for both civilian and military traffic.