Under-construction tunnel, which is expected to open in 2023. , According to a government spokesperson, the 6.5-kilometer Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh highway between Gagangir and Sonamarg would be open for vehicles. The Z-Morh tunnel, operational will enable connectivity year-round, was also under inspection by Pole during his visit, as stated by the statement. By June 2023, the Z-Morh Tunnel should be finished and accessible.
The Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh will remain connected to the rest of the nation throughout the entire year thanks to the Z-Morh tunnels, which are highly significant in nature. The tunnels will also help both UTs’ tourism industries and maintain the military’s ability to move without hindrance in any weather. This tunnel will offer much-needed protection from landslides and heavy snowfall.
You will be engulfed in the gloom with sporadic light flashes as you pass through the Z-Morh Tunnel. For everyone looking for adventure and amazement, it is an exciting and mind-blowing experience they must not miss.
Table of contents
Z-Morh Tunnel tunnel Structure
The Z-Morh tunnel two-way road tunnel on NH 1 runs between Gagangir and Sonmarg and begins at 69.5 kilometres per hour, and ends at 81.3 kilometres per hour. The access roads between the underground structures and NH 1 will be 6.05 km long on both ends, and the tunnel is 6.5 km long.
Sonamarg, which has places to visit like the Thajiwas Glacier and sports like whitewater rafting on the Sind River, will see a rise in tourism due to the tunnel, which will also contribute to the region’s overall economic and social growth.
At a permitted top speed of 80 km per hour, the tunnel is built to accommodate 1,000 cars per hour of traffic. 2,637 meters (8,652 feet) above sea level is where the tunnel is situated.
Z-Morh Tunnel tunnel history
To connect the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh, hundreds of people are working on an extensive project involving drilling tunnels and building bridges. Work is being done on the Srinagar-Leh highway’s strategically significant Zojila and Z-Morh tunnels.
The tunnel can be found at 2,637 meters (8,652 feet) above sea level. In July 2012, during the 53rd PPPAC Conference, the site’s overall capital cost was approved at 2,717 crores. This sum comprises the land cost, relocation, rehabilitation, and other pre-construction works, which total Rs. 36.48 crore.
He said that the Z-Morh Tunnel is a component of a massive initiative launched by the Indian government to guarantee uninterrupted all-weather communication between Kashmir and Ladakh, which is typically closed during the winter months due to severe snowfall.
The Z-Morh Tunnel also represents the nation’s dedication to developing a cutting-edge, effective heavy vehicle system that can accommodate the expanding demands of its population. The tunnel has raised the bar for the Indian military force, and it is anticipated to serve as a model for more projects there in the future. Overall, the Z-Morh Tunnel is a tremendous accomplishment for the nation and has created new regional growth and development opportunities.
Z-Morh Tunnel Tunnel Route Map
The Srinagar-Leh Highway in Jammu and Kashmir runs between Kangan and Sonamarg, where the tunnel is situated. It intends to improve Indian military capacity in Kashmir and Ladakh across both the Line of Actual Control (LAC) farther east and the 14.15 km Zojila Tunnel to its east and the LOC to the north. Addressing during the event, Div Com emphasized that road connectivity is crucial for any area’s development, especially those with hilly terrain.
Contractor Details
August 2019: APCO Infratech receives the ₹2,378 crore project and will build the tunnel (Balance Work) under BOT (annuity) mode. By December 2023, the tunnel should be finished after 3.5 years of construction. It is essential for India that Kashmir and Ladakh are connected. Infrastructure along the border had been ignored for many years. It is essential to the advancement and development of the local populace from a strategic standpoint.
2012 saw the laying of the project’s foundation stone. It was once controlled by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), which hired Srinagar-Sonamarg Tunnelway Ltd, an IL&FS-owned business, to build the civil portion of the road. The project was retendered in 2019, and NHIDCL granted the contract to APCO Infratech, which is carrying it out on behalf of Apco Shri Amarnathji Tunnelway Private Limited (ASATPL).
Conclusion
The Z-Morh Tunnel is anticipated to be finished and open in June 2023. (current deadline). The cost of construction using the NATM tunneling technique is anticipated to be Rs. 2378 crore.
As work on the famous project proceeds at a glacial pace, raising doubts about its completion by the 2020 date, the excitement generated by the announcement of the Z-Morh tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir is quickly diminishing. The massive project, which includes the 6.5 km tunnel, aims to maintain uninterrupted all-weather communication between Kashmir and Ladakh.
FAQ’s
Where is Z-Morh Tunnel located?
In the Srinagar-Leh Highway in Jammu & Kashmir, the tunnel is between Kangan and Sonamarg.
Who built the Z-Morh tunnel?
Z- Morh tunnel is under construction by APCO Infratech Pvt. Ltd. and National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation.
What is the height of the Z-Morh tunnel?
In addition to having a 5km approach road, the 8,960-foot-long Z-Morh tunnel will be 6.5km long when it is finished.
How far does the Z-Morh tunnel reduce between Gagangiri and Sonawal?
Gagangiri and Sonawal will be separated by only 6.5 km instead of 11 km, thanks to the Z-Morh tunnel.