Residents of Ganderbal district, living near the 6.5-kilometer Z-Morh Tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, are optimistic that this major infrastructure project will boost the local economy and help reduce unemployment in the area.
Mohammad Yousuf Shera, a local shopkeeper, expressed his excitement, saying, “The opening of the Z-Morh tunnel is great news for us. Sonamarg is stunning in winter, but the road closures stopped many visitors. We are thankful to the government for this tunnel.” Shera believes that the year-round accessibility between Srinagar and Sonamarg will enhance the destination’s global recognition. “Sonamarg will now be famous not just in India, but worldwide. Foreigners will love this place,” he added. He also noted the strategic significance of the tunnel, saying it would benefit the armed forces. “The tunnel will improve connectivity for soldiers defending the country at the borders,” he said.
The Z-Morh tunnel has significantly reduced travel time between Srinagar and Sonamarg, allowing vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour, compared to the previous 30 kilometers per hour on winding roads. The tunnel has the capacity to handle 1,000 vehicles per hour.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the project on Monday, marking his first visit to the region after the assembly elections.
Local resident Shabir Ahmad shared his thoughts on the tunnel’s impact, saying, “We’re thrilled that tourists can now visit Sonamarg all year round. Previously, the area was cut off for four months due to snow, but now not only Sonamarg but also areas like Drass and Kargil will stay connected.” He added, “People in this area are poor, but this tunnel will create year-round employment opportunities.”
Tourist guide Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh echoed this sentiment, noting that the tunnel will address unemployment issues. “I’ve been a tourist guide here for years, but the tourist season was limited to six months because of road closures in winter,” he said. “Now, with year-round tourism, locals will have better facilities and more income opportunities.”
A group of tourists from Nagpur, who visited Gagangir on Saturday, praised the project, calling it a significant development. “We are amazed that such a beautiful place is in India. Thanks to this tunnel, we could visit here; otherwise, we would have missed out on this stunning view,” they said. “Many people already visit Kashmir, but we’ll recommend this place to all our friends and family.”
Work on the Z-Morh tunnel began in May 2015 and faced delays. Initially, the project was handled by Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), but work stopped in 2018 due to financial issues. The project was retendered in 2019 and awarded to APCO Infratech in 2020. The foundation stone for the Rs 2,716.90 crore project was laid in October 2012 by then-Minister for Surface Transport C P Joshi, in the presence of his cabinet colleague Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. The tunnel was initially expected to be completed by 2016-2017.
