The Impressive TimesSrinagar, January11, 2025: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 to officially open the strategically significant Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district, security measures have been significantly enhanced across the region.
As per official sources, the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the Prime Minister’s security, has taken control of the security arrangements for the inauguration event at Shutkadi village in Sonamarg.
The SPG, in collaboration with J&K Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), is working tirelessly to ensure the smooth conduct of this high-profile event. The security measures have been strengthened with comprehensive area surveillance, continuous ground and aerial monitoring through drones, and extensive CCTV surveillance. The Indian Army is also maintaining heightened vigilance in the upper reaches of Ganderbal district to mitigate any potential threats.
This heightened security comes after an attack last October, in which militants targeted workers from APCO Infratech, the company behind the construction of the Z-Morh tunnel, resulting in seven fatalities, including a local doctor.
The inauguration ceremony, where Prime Minister Modi will dedicate the 6.4-kilometer Z-Morh tunnel to the nation, will be attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The Z-Morh tunnel, which was built at a cost of ₹2,717 crore, will offer all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, a well-known tourist destination. This project is part of the government’s broader initiative to provide year-round connectivity to the strategically crucial region of Ladakh, in conjunction with the 13.1-km-long Zojila Tunnel, set to be completed by December 2026.
Officials have emphasized that the Z-Morh tunnel is a transformative development for the region, offering much more than just a link between Gagangir and Sonamarg. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the tunnel features a public address system for announcements, an electrical fire detection and signaling system for quick response in case of fire, FM signal rebroadcasting to keep drivers informed and entertained, real-time traffic updates, and variable speed limit signs (SLVS) that adjust speed limits based on traffic conditions.
Omar Abdullah hailed the inauguration of the tunnel as a “game changer” for winter tourism in the Valley, stating, “J&K, especially central Kashmir, eagerly anticipates the unveiling of this essential infrastructure. This project will play a key role in expanding winter tourism in the region.”
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