Officials announce toll-free access for public
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: The crucial and toll free Z-Morh tunnel, connecting Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, is set to open for traffic on September 15, ensuring year-round connectivity to the tourist destination Sonamarg, which is typically inaccessible in winter.
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The project, costing nearly Rs 2400 crores, commenced in 2020 in the Gagangeer area of Ganderbal district. With 1,500 personnel equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the tunnel promises much-needed relief to residents and potential for winter tourism in Sonamarg.
The completion of the Z-Morh tunnel marks the first phase of larger infrastructure projects, including a 13.5-km Zojila tunnel, aiming to provide all-weather connectivity on the Srinagar-Leh highway. The original deadline for the 11,000-foot-high project is December 2026. Currently, the road remains closed during the winter due to heavy snowfall.
An Engineer at National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Brijesh Wala, said that final touches, including road marking, crash barriers, and signage, are being applied to the project.
“We are working at full strength, aiming to open the project to the public on September 15,” he said, adding that safety audits on mechanical and electrical components are ongoing, and the tunnel will open once all safety standards are met.
He said the Z-Morh tunnel, built using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) technology to account for the Himalayan geology, starts at kilometer 69 on NH1 at Kulan, with a 4.8 km approach road leading to the 6.4 km main tunnel. “It connects Sonamarg via a 0.9-kilometer approach road on the eastern side,” he said.
He said that this project, along with the Zojila tunnel, is crucial for ensuring all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Srinagar, which is often blocked during winters due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
Additionally, the project holds strategic importance for the military, ensuring a reliable supply chain for soldiers stationed in Ladakh. “Currently, there are inconveniences in transporting logistics to soldiers due to road blockages. These projects will maintain the supply chain throughout the year,” added Brijesh.
Previously closed by avalanches in December and reopening in May, the road’s seasonal disruption at Gagangir will end with the new tunnel. Local residents have expressed joy about the imminent opening of the tunnel, which will reduce travel time from Gagangir to Sonamarg to just half an hour.
“We are happy that the tunnel will open on September 15. It is beneficial not only for Sonamarg and Ganderbal but for the entire country. It will boost tourism here, and, importantly, it is a toll-free tunnel. We hope the Zojila tunnel will be completed soon, ensuring year-round access for Ladakh,” Malik Zahoor Ahmad, a local resident said.
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