Z-Morh Project in Kashmir | 22 Oct 2024

The Z-Morh tunnel project in Jammu & Kashmir recently witnessed militant attacks highlighting strategical significance of the project.

Z-Morh Tunnel:
- A 6.4 km-long tunnel connecting the Sonamarg health resort with Kangan town, Ganderbal district.
- Located near Gagangir village, the tunnel’s name is derived from the Z-shaped road stretch where it is constructed.
- It will provide all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, a major tourist destination on the Srinagar-Leh highway.
Strategic Importance:
- The tunnel is part of the larger Zojila Tunnel project, aimed at ensuring all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
- It is critical for military logistics, enabling faster movement of troops to Ladakh, where tensions with both Pakistan and China exist.
- The tunnel facilitates safe connectivity to regions like Dras, Kargil, and Leh, which are crucial for defense operations, particularly around the Siachen Glacier and Eastern Ladakh.
- Z-Morh tunnel will act as a precursor to the Zojila Tunnel, which is under construction and expected to be completed by December 2026.
- Enhances India's capability in reinforcing military personnel in sensitive areas of Ladakh, vital post-2020 India-China standoff.
The attack on the project underscores evolving threats to critical infrastructure, highlighting the importance of safeguarding national projects from insurgent activities.