SPG takes charge in Sonamarg

Srinagar, Jan 9: Preparations are in full swing in Sonamarg for the anticipated visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday for the inauguration of the strategically-important Z-Morh Tunnel.

The Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the Prime Minister’s security, has arrived in Sonamarg and is overseeing arrangements.

Senior Police officials said that the venue for the inauguration is still being finalised, with two options under consideration to ensure both security and convenience.

“Two places – the Western Portal and Eastern Portal of Z-Morh tunnel are under consideration for the venue,” a senior Police officer told Greater Kashmir. “It will be finalised by Friday evening.”

The officer said that the PM would land first at the Srinagar Technical Airport and later fly to Sonamarg in a chopper.

After the inauguration, the PM is scheduled to address a public rally in Sonamarg.

Security measures in and around Sonamarg have been intensified in preparation for the high-profile event.

Security forces are conducting area domination exercises and thorough searches to ensure a safe environment.

Joint teams of the Army, paramilitary forces, and the J&K Police are patrolling the area while additional checkpoints have been established along the key routes leading to the tunnel.

Senior government officials and engineers associated with the Z-Morh Tunnel project are closely coordinating with security agencies to ensure the event proceeds without any disruptions.

Situated at an altitude of 8650 feet, the Z-Morh Tunnel is a two-lane road tunnel equipped with a parallel 7.5-metre-wide escape tunnel for emergencies.

The tunnel ensures seamless connectivity between Gagangir and Sonamarg and will ease summer travel to Ladakh.

The project came up at a cost of Rs 2400 crore under the build-operate-transfer model.

The developer has a 15-year maintenance contract for the tunnel.

Together with the Zojila Tunnel, the Z-Morh Tunnel will ensure uninterrupted connectivity to the Baltal and Ladakh regions for civilian and military traffic.

The heightened security comes in the wake of a tragic incident that occurred on October 20 last year when a terror attack targeted a workers’ camp near Gagangir close to the Z-Morh Tunnel construction site.

The terrorists entered the camp and opened indiscriminate fire, killing seven civilians, including six non-local workers employed by the infrastructure company tasked with building the tunnel.

In addition, a local doctor, who was among those present at the camp, was also killed in the attack.

One among the terrorists was later killed in an encounter in the Dachigam area of Srinagar.