Srinagar/Sonamarg, Jan 13 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived Srinagar on a day’s visit to inaugurate the strategically important 6.4 km-long Z-Morh, also called Sonamarg tunnel, in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Monday, officials said.
Prime Minister Modi arrived at the Srinagar technical airport earlier the day.
The Prime Minister traveled to central Kashmir district from Srinagar in a special helicopter to inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel, officials said
Among others the inauguration ceremony will be attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister Jitender Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other dignitaries.
The Prime Minister will also address a public gathering soon after the inauguration of the tunnel.
He will also meet the tunnel construction workers and engineers who have worked in challenging conditions, acknowledging their contribution to this engineering feat.
This is PM’s first visit since an elected government came to power in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in October last year.
The Z-Morh Tunnel project has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. It comprises the Sonamarg main tunnel, an egress tunnel and approach roads.
It will also promote tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.
Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level, it will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg enroute to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region.
A multi-tier security set up has also been in place to ensure incident free conduct of the event.
UNI QAB/MJR KK