Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inspected the geo-strategically important Z-Morh tunnel on Srinagar-Leh highway (NH-1) on Monday (10 April).
The area of Z-Morh tunnel is strategically important as its construction will ensure seamless connectivity between Srinagar and Kargil, and there will also be considerable reduction in travel time between Srinagar and Leh.
The two-lane road tunnel is being built under the Thajiwas mountain glacier, between Gagangir and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district of Kashmir.
Nineteen tunnels are being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 25,000 crore. Under this, construction work of the 6.5 km length Z-Morh tunnel and approach road is in progress, at a cost of Rs 2,680 crore.
Under the Z-Morh tunnel project, a main tunnel of total length of 10.8 m, with a modified horse shoe shape escape tunnel of total length of 7.5 m, D-shaped ventilation tunnel of total length of 8.3 m, two major culverts of 110 m and 270 m in length, and one small culvert of 30 m in length, is proposed.
Till now 75 per cent work of Z-Morh Tunnel has been completed. A target has been set to dedicate this tunnel by December 2023.
An Intelligent Traffic Management System has been installed in the Z-Morh tunnel to make it easier to control traffic. Along with this, traffic will also be facilitated through the dedicated escape tunnel.
The Z-Morh tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town. The debris generated during the construction work of this project has been used for way-side facilities and development of the area.
This tunnel will promote social and economic development in the entire region. Tourism in Sonamarg will be promoted — including activities like whitewater rafting on Thajiwas glacier and Sindh river.
Besides Gadkari, the inspection was also witnessed by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha and members of Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Road Transport and Highways.