In a significant development for Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Z Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district on January 13, 2025. This 6.5-kilometer tunnel is expected to enhance all-weather travel on the Srinagar-Ladakh national highway, a vital route for both locals and tourists alike. The construction of the tunnel began in 2013 and was completed in October 2024 at a cost of ₹2,700 crore. The project aims to boost tourism and economic empowerment in the region, reflecting the government's commitment to improving infrastructure [20d31d40].
As preparations for the inauguration are underway, security has been significantly heightened around the tunnel and in Srinagar. This increase in security measures underscores the importance of the event, which will also feature a public rally addressed by Modi following the inauguration. The Z Morh tunnel is part of a larger initiative that includes the Zojila tunnel, which, once completed, will be the longest road tunnel in India at 14.15 kilometers [20d31d40].
Political responses to the project have varied, with National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar crediting the initiation of the project to the National Conference in 2013. In contrast, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur attributes the successful completion of the project to Modi's governance. Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has been actively reviewing preparations for the inauguration event, highlighting the political significance of the project in the region [20d31d40].
In a related development, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has recently made strides in the construction of the Naushera tunnel on the Golden Arc Road, which connects the Akhnoor and Poonch areas. This 700-meter tunnel is part of the National Highway-144A project and is expected to be completed by 2026. Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, the Director General of Border Roads, emphasized the importance of these infrastructure projects in connecting remote areas with major centers in the Jammu-Poonch region [83429744].