The Z-Morh Tunnel is a 6.5 km long, 2-lane road tunnel in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It connects Gagangair to Sonamarg, replacing the avalanche-prone Z-shaped road stretch, providing all-weather connectivity to the region. Its strategic location on the NH1 Srinagar-Leh Highway enhances military logistics and boosts tourism.
Key Benefits of the Z-Morh Tunnel:
- Year-Round Connectivity: Links Sonamarg, Baltal (Amarnath cave), Kargil, and other Ladakh regions.
- Reduced Travel Time: Cuts travel time significantly compared to the previous zig-zag road.
- Economic Impact: Supports local tourism, benefiting attractions like Thajiwas Glacier and activities such as rafting.
- Safety and Accessibility: Mitigate road closures due to avalanches and snowfall.
Features Z-Morh Tunnel:
- Length: Tunnel – 6.5 km; Approach roads – 6.05 km.
- Width: Tunnel – 10 m; Escape tunnel – 7.5 m wide.
- Elevation: Located at 2,637 meters (8,652 feet) above sea level.
- Capacity: Designed for 1,000 vehicles per hour at speeds up to 80 km/h.
- Ventilation and Safety: Includes a parallel escape tunnel for emergencies.
- Cost: Estimated at ₹2,700 crore for completion.
Construction and Challenges:
- Initially managed under a PPP model by IL&FS, the project faced delays due to financial constraints.
- In 2019, Apco Infratech took over to complete the balance work.
- The tunnel employs the NATM tunneling method suited for Himalayan geology.
Timeline and Cost of Z-Morh Tunnel:
- 2015: Construction began.
- 2018: Work stalled; IL&FS faced financial issues.
- 2019: NHIDCL reissued the contract to Apco Infratech.
- 2021: Both tunnel ends were connected; and partially opened for military and emergency use.
The project was approved at an estimated cost of around ₹2,700 crore (approximately $325.3 million) and began construction in May 2015, with completion achieved in 2024.
The Z-Morh tunnel is set to become the first major milestone in the effort to build a strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh which is open all through the year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated to inaugurate it on January 13, 2025.
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The Z-Morh Tunnel complements the nearby Zoji-La Tunnel, forming part of a larger network of 31 strategically significant road tunnels in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. Together, they bolster connectivity, enhance regional development, and improve India’s strategic infrastructure.
