India’s prime minister marked the opening of a tunnel in the northeast of disputed Kashmir that will grant all-year accessibility to a town that is isolated by heavy snow each winter.

Mr Modi opened the Z- Morh (turn) tunnel – a 6.5km road in the resort town of Sonmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. The town denotes the end of the conifer-clad mountains of the Kashmir Valley before Ladakh begins across the rocky Zojila mountain pass. The tunnel will now grant it accessibility for the first time all year round.

The inauguration of Sonamarg Tunnel brought a significant relief to residents and travelers in the region. This vital infrastructure, which ensures year-round connectivity to Sonamarg, has mitigated the stress caused by seasonal blockades and unpredictable weather conditions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visitied J&K and inaugurated the Sonmarg Tunnel, The Sonamarg Tunnel project, around 12 km long, has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. It comprises the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg. The 6.4-km tunnel worth over Rs 2,700 crore on the Srinagar-Leh highway will keep Sonamarg open to tourists round the year and is also touted as a major milestone to connect the Kashmir valley with Ladakh.