Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Sonamarg tunnel, also known as the Z-morh tunnel January 13. This engineering marvel, constructed at an altitude of 8,650 feet and spanning 12 kilometers, has been completed at a cost of over Rs 27 billion.

The project comprises the main 6.4-km Z-morh tunnel, an egress tunnel, and approach roads, ensuring safer, all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg en route to Leh. It bypasses landslide-prone zones, enhancing strategic access to Ladakh.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who visited the site on January 11, lauded the tunnel as transformative for the region, stating, "Sonamarg will now be developed as a ski resort. Locals won't have to leave in winter, and travel time to Kargil and Leh from Srinagar will reduce."

The tunnel is expected to boost tourism by making Sonamarg a year-round destination for winter sports and adventure, driving local livelihoods. Alongside the Zojila Tunnel, which is projected for completion by 2028, the connectivity enhancements will reduce the NH-1 route length from 49 km to 43 km, doubling vehicle speeds.

PM Modi, responding to Abdullah's social media post on X, shared his enthusiasm for the inauguration, emphasizing the project's impact on tourism and economic growth.

By improving access to the strategically critical Ladakh region, the tunnel will bolster defence logistics and promote socio-economic integration across Jammu and Kashmir.