What is Z-Morh tunnel? Why is it strategically important?

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Last Updated23/10/2024

Seven people were killed in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening (October 20) when suspected militants targeted the workers of infrastructure company APCO Infratech, which is constructing the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway.

On Sunday, October 20, suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir targeted workers of APCO Infratech, a company constructing the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway.
The attack claimed seven lives, marking the first-ever militant attack on an infrastructure project in the region. Despite such violence, the Z-Morh tunnel remains crucial for its strategic and economic importance in Jammu and Kashmir and the wider Ladakh region.

The Z-Morh tunnel is a 6.4-kilometer-long tunnel near Gagangir village, connecting Sonamarg, a famous tourist destination, with Kangan town in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. Named after the Z-shaped road stretch in its location, this tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh highway, which is usually cut off during winter due to heavy snow and avalanches.

The Z-Morh tunnel is essential because it bypasses treacherous, snow-prone sections of the highway. The road to Sonamarg, situated at an altitude of over 8,500 feet, often remains closed during the winter months. By ensuring year-round road access, the tunnel benefits the local economy, boosts tourism, and ensures quicker transport in emergencies.

Originally conceived by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 2012, the Z-Morh tunnel project was initially awarded to Tunnelway Ltd. However, it was later transferred to the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which re-tendered the project.
APCO Infratech, through a special purpose vehicle called APCO-Shri Amarnathji Tunnel Private Limited, took over construction.
Although the tunnel was slated for completion by August 2023, delays pushed back the inauguration. The tunnel was partially opened for testing in February 2023 but awaits formal inauguration due to the Model Code of Conduct imposed for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

The Z-Morh tunnel is part of a broader infrastructure project, the Zojila tunnel, which aims to provide year-round connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. While the Zojila tunnel, expected to be completed by 2026, is crucial for connecting Kashmir to Ladakh, the Z-Morh tunnel is key to ensuring connectivity to Sonamarg and serves as an essential first step in achieving this goal.
The tunnel’s strategic importance extends to national defense. It provides faster and more reliable access for military personnel deployed in Ladakh, a region with sensitive borders with both Pakistan and China. Currently, the Indian defense forces maintain troops in Siachen Glacier and Turtuk, near the Pakistan-occupied Baltistan region, as well as along the eastern border with China, where tensions have escalated since 2020.
The Z-Morh tunnel, along with the Zojila tunnel, will enhance the movement of troops and supplies, reducing dependence on air transportation, and ultimately lowering costs and increasing efficiency.