Sonamarg set to become all-weather destination as Z-Morh tunnel sees completion

Sonamarg, Jan 7: The work on much awaited 6.5 kilometers long Z-Morh tunnel, being constructed near Gagangeer area on Srinagar-Leh Highway in Ganderbal district, has witnessed completion and is awaiting its official inauguration.

An official told Greater Kashmir that the work on Z-Morh tunnel, coming up at a cost of Rs 2,378 crores has almost been completed. He highlighted that the executing agency has written to the central government to take over the tunnel. However, the approval and response from the Government of India is awaited, the official added.

After completion of the tunnel, popular tourist destination Sonamarg will be accessible round the year for visitors.

“A few months ago final touches were provided to the tunnel, along with installation of safety measures inside it,” a senior official of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) told Greater Kashmir.

“We are ready with the tunnel and we are expecting it to be inaugurated later this month" the official added.

Official sources told Greater Kashmir that Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is expected to inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel, adding that any official announcement in this regard is awaited.

Once officially thrown open, Z-Morh tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district.

At present, in absence of any proper and safe connectivity, the visitors are not able to travel to Sonamarg leaving many disappointed.

Pertinent to mention here that, the work on the 6.5-km Z-Morh tunnel, part of a strategic project and a first step towards ensuring round-the-year connectivity between Kashmir valley and Ladakh region. The Z-Morh tunnel which is a stretch of 6.5 km will connect Sonamarg along with a 5 km approach road is a project worth Rs 2,300 crores. It is a bi-direction tunnel along with an escape tunnel for any eventuality.

The work on strategic Z-Morh, which is part of Srinagar Sonamarg Tunnelway (SST) was halted for two years between 2017-2019 due to the financial crunch faced by the then main executing agency IL&FS who later abandoned the work. The project was earlier allotted to Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), but the contractor abandoned it after IL&FS Group faced a financial crunch. The government had to invite bids for the second time for the project on June 24, 2019 with a TPC of Rs 2,378.76 crore on BOT - build operate transfer - (Annuity) basis. The government later awarded the crucial Z-MorhTunnel to APCO Amarnathji Tunnelway Pvt Ltd to be built at a cost of Rs 2,379 crore.

People associated with the tourism and trade in Sonamarg have demanded the opening of Z Morh tunnel as soon as possible so that the visitors have a better experience and Sonamarg will be developed on the tourism map which will eventually lead to the social economic development of the region.

“The government must open the tunnel officially as it is the only safe access for visitors to  Sonamarg “ Showket Hussain Khan, a social activist said. Raja Parvaiz, a local social activist said that Sonamarg should be made an all weather tourist destination and winter sports activities should be started to bring it on the tourism map.

Officials in the administration while speaking to Greater Kashmir said that they are awaiting government approval and nod for the official opening of Z-Morh tunnel.