In preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on January 13, security measures have been significantly heightened across the valley. The Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the strategic Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district.
Official sources report that the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the Prime Minister’s security, has assumed control at the inauguration site in Shutkadi village, Sonamarg. Working closely with J&K Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the SPG is ensuring a secure environment for this high-profile event.
Security efforts include area domination exercises, continuous ground and aerial surveillance using drones, and extensive monitoring through CCTV cameras. The Indian Army is also maintaining strict vigilance over the upper reaches of Ganderbal district to counter any potential threats.
This increased security follows an attack last October when militants targeted workers from APCO Infratech, the company that constructed the Z-Morh tunnel, resulting in seven deaths, including a local doctor.
The inauguration ceremony will see the 6.4-kilometer Z-Morh tunnel dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Modi. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are expected to attend.
Constructed at a cost of ₹2,717 crore, the Z-Morh tunnel ensures all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination. The Government of India aims to provide year-round access to strategically important Ladakh through the Z-Morh tunnel and the under-construction 13.1-km-long Zojila Tunnel, slated for completion by December 2026.
Officials describe the Z-Morh tunnel as transformative for the region, offering more than just a link between Gagangir and Sonamarg. It features advanced technology, including a public address system, an electrical fire signaling system, FM signal rebroadcasting, real-time traffic updates, and speed limit variable message signs (SLVS) to adjust speed limits based on traffic conditions.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the significance of this infrastructure, calling it a “game changer” for winter tourism in the Valley. “J&K, especially central Kashmir, looks forward to the inauguration of this vital piece of infrastructure. This asset will be a game changer for the expansion of winter tourism in the Valley,” he stated.
