<p>Srinagar: Prime Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/narendra-modi">Narendra Modi</a> on Monday inaugurated the 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, a project that promises to transform travel between Srinagar and Sonamarg and provide year-round access to the strategically significant region of Ladakh.<br></p><p>Along with the PM, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were also present there at the event.<br></p><p>The inauguration of the Tunnel was done from the East Portal. After inauguration, the Prime Minister toured the tunnel and will directly drive towards the main venue, where he will address a public rally.</p>.<p>After inauguration, Modi commended the efforts of engineers and construction workers who worked relentlessly to make the tunnel a reality.<br></p><p>He interacted with the construction workers and engineers, who were a part of this project. The workers clicked photographers with the PM and briefed him about how this important tunnel was constructed.<br></p><p>Built at a cost of ₹2,400 crore on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, the strategic 6.5-km bi-directional tunnel will be a major step towards making year-round access to the strategically important Ladakh region, which borders China and Pakistan.</p>.Braving the chill, thousands gather in Sonamarg where PM Modi will speak following Z-Morh tunnel inauguration.<p>Ladakh, which has grown in significance due to ongoing security concerns in the region, has been a central focus of India’s infrastructure and defense strategy.<br></p><p>Work on the Z-Morh Tunnel began in May 2015 but faced delays after Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), the initial contractor, ceased operations in 2018 due to financial challenges.<br></p><p>The project was subsequently retendered in 2019 and awarded to APCO Infratech in January 2020. The project, originally initiated during the UPA II government, saw its foundation stone laid in October 2012 by C.P. Joshi, then Minister for Surface Transport.</p>
<p>Srinagar: Prime Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/narendra-modi">Narendra Modi</a> on Monday inaugurated the 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, a project that promises to transform travel between Srinagar and Sonamarg and provide year-round access to the strategically significant region of Ladakh.<br></p><p>Along with the PM, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were also present there at the event.<br></p><p>The inauguration of the Tunnel was done from the East Portal. After inauguration, the Prime Minister toured the tunnel and will directly drive towards the main venue, where he will address a public rally.</p>.<p>After inauguration, Modi commended the efforts of engineers and construction workers who worked relentlessly to make the tunnel a reality.<br></p><p>He interacted with the construction workers and engineers, who were a part of this project. The workers clicked photographers with the PM and briefed him about how this important tunnel was constructed.<br></p><p>Built at a cost of ₹2,400 crore on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, the strategic 6.5-km bi-directional tunnel will be a major step towards making year-round access to the strategically important Ladakh region, which borders China and Pakistan.</p>.Braving the chill, thousands gather in Sonamarg where PM Modi will speak following Z-Morh tunnel inauguration.<p>Ladakh, which has grown in significance due to ongoing security concerns in the region, has been a central focus of India’s infrastructure and defense strategy.<br></p><p>Work on the Z-Morh Tunnel began in May 2015 but faced delays after Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), the initial contractor, ceased operations in 2018 due to financial challenges.<br></p><p>The project was subsequently retendered in 2019 and awarded to APCO Infratech in January 2020. The project, originally initiated during the UPA II government, saw its foundation stone laid in October 2012 by C.P. Joshi, then Minister for Surface Transport.</p>