Modi inaugurates Rs 2,700 crore all-weather Sonamarg tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the newly rechristened Sonamarg tunnel, located in Ganderbal district. His visit marked the completion of the Z-Morh tunnel, which will ensure all-weather connectivity to the picturesque Sonamarg region.

After landing at Srinagar's international airport, PM Modi traveled by Air Force helicopter to Neelgrad, where he was taken in a cavalcade to the Gagangir area for the official inauguration. The tunnel, which bypasses avalanche-prone sections of the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, is set to boost the region’s tourism, making Sonamarg a year-round destination.

The event was attended by Union Minister of Surface Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, MoS (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Following the inauguration, PM Modi addressed a public rally in Sonamarg, where hundreds braved the cold to hear him speak.


The 6.5 km Sonamarg tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore by APCO Infratech, was overseen by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Construction of the tunnel began in 2018. It will reduce travel time dramatically, cutting down a journey that once took hours on the winding road to just 15 minutes.

The tunnel is expected to provide a major boost to local employment, trade, and tourism, with positive implications for the Ladakh region, the Amarnath Yatra, and local businesses. Additionally, the Zojila Tunnel, currently under construction, will complement the Sonamarg tunnel, making the journey to Ladakh safer and potentially accessible throughout the year.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the significance of the project, emphasizing its role in making Sonamarg a prominent ski resort and reducing travel time to Kargil and Leh. This development is also expected to prevent local residents from leaving the area during harsh winters.