Z-Morh Tunnel To Provide Year-Round Access To Kashmir, Boosting Tourism In Sonmarg And Enhancing Defence Movement In Border Areas

On Monday (13 January), Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 6.4-kilometre (km)-long Z-Morh tunnel, which will improve the connection between Kashmir and Ladakh.

Located amidst the scenic but tough landscape of central Kashmir, high in the Himalayas, the Z-Morh Tunnel is poised to revolutionise connectivity in the region by linking the well-known Sonamarg health resort to Kangan town in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir.

It will offer uninterrupted access throughout the year to one of the most desirable tourist spots along the Srinagar-Leh highway as the area where the Z-Morh Tunnel is situated is subject to severe snowfall and avalanches during the winter.

Earlier, the route to Sonamarg used to be typically blocked for the majority of this season annually, isolating the area from the rest of Kashmir and interrupting the influx of tourists.

Sonamarg, celebrated for its breathtaking scenery, alpine pastures, and glaciers, depends heavily on tourism. Unfortunately, the seasonal closure of the road significantly impacts this industry.

The road in question, situated over 8,500 feet above sea level, is crucial as it provides strategic military access to Ladakh, an area that has increasingly become vital to India's defense infrastructure.

Previously, traveling to Ladakh during winter usually relied on air routes due to snow-blocked roads posing safety risks for transportation. However, the introduction of the Z-Morh Tunnel aims to offer year-round access.

The networking is crucial to India's regional defense position. Ladakh, having extensive and disputed borders with both Pakistan and China, has seen a surge in military operations following the 2020 conflict between Indian and Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh.

The Z-Morh Tunnel, together with the upcoming Zojila Tunnel, will significantly lessen the dependence on air transportation for the transfer of military staff, machinery, and provisions to the areas close to these borders.

At present, the Indian Army is significantly dependent on air maintenance for its forward positions, utilising transport aircraft from the Indian Air Force to access the most remote posts.

The introduction of road connectivity through the Z-Morh Tunnel, however, is set to reduce this reliance, providing a more cost-efficient and effective means of transporting troops and resources.

This will not only extend the operational lifespan of military aircraft, which currently shoulder the responsibility of supplying Ladakh's distant locations all year round, but also improve overall logistics efficiency.

In an area marked by significant geopolitical tension, particularly around the Siachen Glacier and the Turtuk sub-sector that borders Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), enhanced road connectivity will offer India a tactical edge.

This improved accessibility to its border posts will equip the Indian military to react more rapidly and with increased logistical backing in the event of a potential dispute in Ladakh, be it with Pakistan or China.