As Kashmir Valley is readying to connect with rest of the country through railway as final speed trial run on the trek has been successfully conducted between Katra to Banihal and vic-e-versa, the inauguration of Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg road by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will add one more new chapter to the upgradation of surface communication in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister is arriving here on January 13 to inaugurate this tunnel that would make Sonamarg all-weather tourist destination. This tunnel will bypass the road from Gagangir to Sonamarg allowing visitors and locals to visit the hill station throughout the year. Presently, the Gagangir-Sonamarg stretch of the road gets blocked by heavy snowfall and avalanches that hit the area every year during winters. Together with the adjacent Zoji-La Tunnel, this geostrategically important tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh Highway will provide year-round weather-proof connectivity to Baltal (Amarnath cave), Kargil and other places in the Ladakh region. It is one of the 31 road tunnels, 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh. The construction of the tunnel was started in 2018.
Due to the landslides, Gagangir-Sonamarg road used to remain closed for most of the time during winters and thus tourists couldn’t visit the destination. With this tunnel becoming operational, Sonamarg will be open round the year thus boosting its tourism potential and generating more jobs. Though Sonamarg is not ideal for advanced skiing, the destination will be a perfect place for basic and intermediate ski courses. Opening Sonamarg for skiing training will lessen the burden on Gulmarg as it would be used for advanced skiing and national and international events only.
Surface communication is key to the economic growth of any region, Jammu and Kashmir being no exception. Thankfully, from past few years, this sector has been under constant focus of the Central government. Srinagar-Jammu Highway is now in a better shape and travel on it, which otherwise was a constant torture, has become smooth and pleasant. Mughal Road, that connects Valley with Pir Panjal Division needs focussed attention. The tunnel that has been promised on the road should be prioritised so that this road also becomes all-weather road. Once Zoji-La tunnel is through, UT of Ladakh would have round the year connectivity with Srinagar and once train services start between New Delhi and Srinagar, it will revolutionize the economy here and bring Kashmir much closer to Delhi. Better connectivity is what can undo “Dil Ki Doori and Delhi Se Doori.”