“Z-Morh Tunnel inauguration marks new era of development in J&K”
“Stand In Solidarity Wuth Victims of Gagangir Attack, Tourism Surges in J&K as Z-Morh Tunnel opens new avenues
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, speaking at the inauguration of the Z-Morh Tunnel in Sonamarg, emphasized the significant progress in the region under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“I pay tribute to the seven innocent people who lost their lives in a militant attack here. Their sacrifice will always be remembered. Today, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing remarkable growth, and the credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Sinha said. Sinha highlighted the region’s shift from violence to development. “People are no longer talking about militancy but about tourism. This is a major achievement for Jammu and Kashmir,” he added. He described the Z-Morh Tunnel as a “game-changer” for Sonamarg, particularly for its potential to boost winter tourism. “This tunnel will make Sonamarg accessible all year round. I believe the day is not far when Ladakh will also have all-weather connectivity, bringing even more growth to the region,” Sinha said. The LG also underscored the government’s focus on infrastructure projects. “Many road projects have been completed, providing excellent connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir,” he remarked.
Sharing impressive statistics, Sinha noted that tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has reached new heights. “In 2024, 2.35 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the region’s transformation and the renewed confidence of visitors,” he stated. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the lives of the region’s citizens. “The Prime Minister has promised a better life for every person in Jammu and Kashmir. We are seeing that promise come true today,” Sinha said. With the opening of the Sonamarg Tunnel, Sinha declared that a new chapter has begun in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. “I am grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the people of the UT and creating an environment that enables the common man to flourish and live a dignified life,” he added.
Sinha called the Sonamarg Tunnel the “Bhagya Rekha” (lifeline) for Jammu and Kashmir, enabling year-round connectivity to the picturesque Sonamarg. “It will be a game-changer for the local economy, winter tourism, and will create new avenues for livelihood and trade in the region,” he said. He praised Prime Minister Modi for taking Jammu and Kashmir on a path of progress and prosperity. “From darkness, he has brought the light of hope into the lives of people. Jammu and Kashmir, once referred to as heaven in books, has now become a reality. Today, tourism has replaced militancy in discussions,” Sinha remarked. He paid homage to the workers of the Sonamarg Tunnel project who were martyred in the Gagangir militant attack. He emphasized the strategic significance of the tunnel, providing strong infrastructure support for the movement of the Armed Forces. Sinha mentioned that the under-construction Zojila Tunnel, likely to be completed by 2026, would ensure year-round connectivity to Ladakh and uninterrupted essential services to remote areas. The LG detailed the unprecedented expansion of infrastructure, the new industrial revolution, and a large network of highways in the region. “Strengthening democracy at the grassroots level, revolutions in agriculture and horticulture, rejuvenation of socio-economic sectors, and uplifting deprived sections have laid a strong foundation for a developed, self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He pointed out that peace and stability have transformed the tourism sector, with a 300% increase in foreign tourists. “Jammu and Kashmir recorded 2.35 crore tourist visits in 2024, up from 2.11 lakh in 2023,” Sinha noted.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure development, Sinha revealed, “Around ?1.5 lakh crore worth of road and highway projects are underway in Jammu and Kashmir.” Key projects mentioned by Sinha included the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, Baramulla-Kupwara-Trehgam National Highway, Baramulla-Uri Highway, Pattan Bypass, Baramulla Bypass, and others aimed at strengthening road connectivity in the UT. He also noted rapid progress on eight tunnel projects, with completion expected by December 2025. “Work on the Sudhmahadev-Dranga Tunnel and Singhpora-Velu Tunnel is starting soon,” he said. Under NABARD, around 144 road and bridge projects have begun. “More than 99% of the villages in Jammu and Kashmir have been connected by road under PMGSY, and the remaining nine villages will soon be integrated into the socio-economic mainstream,” Sinha said. The dream of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari through a railway network will soon become a reality. “The opening of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link will usher in a new era of socio-economic development and national integration,” he added.The Sonamarg Tunnel project, around 12 km long, was constructed at a cost of over ?2,700 crore. It comprises the 6.4 km main tunnel, an egress tunnel, and approach roads. Located at an altitude of over 8,650 feet, it will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg en route to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes, thereby providing safer, uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region.
