Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the newly renamed Sonamarg tunnel in Ganderbal district of J&K. This marks the completion of the Z-Morh tunnel. It will ensures all-weather connectivity to the picturesque Sonamarg region.
After arriving at Srinagar's international airport, PM Modi traveled by Air Force helicopter to Neelgrad and then proceeded in a cavalcade to the Gagangir area for the official inauguration. The tunnel bypasses avalanche-prone sections of the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway. Thus it will promote tourism by establishing Sonamarg as a year-round destination.
The event was attended by Union Minister of Surface Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, MoS (PMO) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. After the inauguration, PM Modi addressed a public rally in Sonamarg, where hundreds braved the cold to listen to him.
Reduce travel time significantly
The construction of 6.5 km Sonamarg tunnel, built at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore by APCO Infratech and overseen by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), began in 2018. It will significantly reduce travel time, cutting a journey that once took hours on winding roads to just 15 minutes.
This tunnel is expected to provide major boost to local employment, trade, and tourism, positively impacting the Ladakh region, the Amarnath Yatra, and local businesses. Besides, the ongoing construction of the Zojila Tunnel will complement the Sonamarg tunnel, making the journey to Ladakh safer and accessible throughout the year.
Beneficial for Army as well
While this tunnel will be beneficial for tourism on one hand, it will also be very important for the security of the country. During snowfall, army's logistics and goods will now be easily accessible by road instead of the air force. With the construction of the tunnel, the army will take less time and cost to reach Ladakh and Kargil. It will also help in developing Sonamarg as a major tourist destination.
Prakash Kumar Pandey
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