Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday reviewed the construction work on the Z-Morh tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir. He is the first person to ride through the escape tunnel of Z-Morh. The tunnel, which will ensure all-weather connectivity between Gagangir and Sonmarg, is expected to be completed ahead of schedule.
This 6.5 km long tunnel holds significance for the state as the stretch between Gagangir and Sonmarg gets closed for traffic for almost six months during winters.
Work on this project resumed in 2018 after a long break following the IL&FS crisis. According to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), which is overseeing the execution of the project may get completed in June 2022 instead of 2023. This tunnel is being constructed with an investment of nearly Rs 2,300 crore.
GS Kambo, executive director, NHIDCL said this will be for the first time traffic can be allowed to Sonmarg during the winters. He said once the project gets completed next year, it will help develop Sonmarg as a winter tourism hub like Gulmarg.
Later in the day, Gadkari will also review the progress of Zojjila tunnel project, which will be Asia’s longest after completion.
Zojila tunnel is of significant importance with regard to national security and development to both UTs as it will provide round the year connectivity to the Ladakh region- Kargil and Leh.
Zojila Tunnel, which is envisaged to provide all-weather connectivity to Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, will be completed at the cost of Rs 4,500 crore. The ceremonial blast of the Zojila tunnel was done on October 15, 2020.
The tunnel is quite significant in nature and will help to keep the Union Territory of Ladakh connected for the whole year with the rest of the country.
The project site of the Zojila tunnel is located at the existing highway NH-01 starting from Sonamarg in J-K and ending at Minamarg in Ladakh at an elevation ranging from 2,700 m to 3,300 m thus making the Zojila Tunnel (13.2 km) the longest tunnel at this elevation in the Asia region.
The present site location falls into seismic zone IV and all precautionary measures have been provisioned to safeguard the structures provisioned in the project.
Explaining about both Z-Morh and Zojila tunnel projects Kambo said in a press briefing here that these two projects were need of the hour for all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir UTs.
“In the extremely cold winters, the entire population from Sonamarg moves down. To keep the connectivity open, a Z-Morh tunnel was required to be made,” he said.
“Further, as we go into the dark valley, we have Zjila Pass at 8,500 feet. This pass remains virtually closed for five-six months every year, n other words, Ladakh from Kashmir remains cut-off for five-six months every year. So, for all-around and all-weather connectivity, there was a necessity to make a tunnel that is connecting to Sonamarg and Ladakh,” Kambo said.
