Sonamarg likely to remain open this winter: Officials

Srinagar, Dec 31: The famous tourist destination, Sonamarg is likely to remain accessible during winter as the crucial Z-Morh tunnel connecting Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway is set to be inaugurated on January 26 this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to e-inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel alongside the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which will enable direct train connectivity between New Delhi and Baramulla.

The Z-Morh project, costing Rs 2,400 crore, began in 2020 in the Gagangir area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

The officials said that the opening of tunnel with enable round-year connectivity to the tourist hub of Sonamarg, traditionally inaccessible in winter due to heavy snowfall.

The officials said that the construction work on tunnel is complete in all respects and ready for inauguration.

The officials attributed the project’s success to local workers, engineers and the community. They said ninety percent of the workforce comes from Kashmir, Doda and Banihal.