Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on October 24 asked security agencies to “secure vital infrastructure projects” across the Union Territory.
- Sinha’s directions came after a militant attack on the employees of APCO Infratech, which is constructing the strategic Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Ladakh national highway, killed seven people.
- This is the first militant attack on a key infrastructure project in Jammu and Kashmir. The Z-Morh tunnel is a 6.4-kkm long tunnel designed to connect Sonamarg health resort to Kangan town in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
- Located near Gagangir village, the tunnel will ensure all-weather access to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination along the Srinagar-Leh highway.
- The name “Z-Morh” refers to the Z-shaped road section near the construction site.
- The tunnel will not only provide all-weather connectivity to the tourist spot, but is also essential for all-weather connectivity to Ladakh.
- The area where the tunnel is being constructed sits at an altitude of over 8,500 ft and is prone to snow avalanches, which make the road to Sonamarg impassable during most part of the winter.
- The tunnel is vital for ensuring year-round connectivity to Ladakh. This is particularly important for the movement of military personnel to border areas.
- While construction of the Zojila tunnel, which will connect Sonamarg in Kashmir with Drass in Ladakh, is ongoing and expected to finish by December 2026, the tunnel is crucial for maintaining all-weather routes in the region.
