Opinion | Z-Morh Tunnel: A Game Changer For India’s Border Security

Last Updated:January 15, 2025, 14:09 IST

This all-weather road, with its connectivity to Ladakh, greatly enhances India’s defensive preparedness and logistical capabilities in securing both the Kargil and Ladakh sectors

Security officials deployed near the Z-Morh tunnel ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Ganderbal district, J&K. (PTI Photo)

The significance of the state-of-the-art 6.5-kilometre-long Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district can neither be ignored nor understated. An engineering marvel bordering on the impossible, this tunnel—which cost Rs 2,716.90 crore and took 12 years to complete—is of great strategic and economic importance. It connects Kashmir to Ladakh and promises guaranteed security, all-weather connectivity, and socio-economic well-being in one of India’s most isolated regions.

In addition to significantly improving the lives of the inhabitants of both Kargil and Leh, especially during the harsh winter season characterised by heavy snowfall, avalanches, and landslides, this tunnel is expected to lead to a substantial increase in tourist footfall. It links Gagangir, nearly 68 kilometres east of Srinagar, to Sonmarg, a popular tourist destination.

From its commencement in October 2012 to its completion in January 2025, this project has experienced its share of ups and downs, which were overcome through the phenomenal grit and determination displayed by everyone involved. Difficult terrain and adverse climatic conditions weren’t the only challenges—given the massive capital outlay of the project, its financial management was also an exacting issue.

Few are aware that the initial executing concessionaire, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), had to quit the project midway due to financial stress after taking it on in 2015. It then took the government almost two years to find a new concessionaire. The project was supervised by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

There are also some coincidences. First, both the laying of the foundation stone for this project and its inauguration took place during Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister. He was present both when the foundation stone of the project was laid by his father, Farooq Abdullah, and during its recent inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Interestingly, Omar Abdullah is also the current Chief Minister, marking a unique continuity in leadership during these milestone events.

Second, on both occasions, Abdullah’s National Conference Party had a political tie-up with the Congress party.

Z-Morh Tunnel’s Strategic Relevance

India, as we all know, needs to remain constantly vigilant along its western and northern borders, as it faces the live possibility of experiencing a two-front war arising from the Sino-Pak nexus at a moment’s notice, maybe not even that!

This all-weather road, with its connectivity to Ladakh, greatly enhances India’s defensive preparedness and logistical capabilities in securing both the Kargil and Ladakh sectors, something we fell short of during the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan. Better surface transport connectivity ensures faster troop deployment on the Line of Control (LoC), Siachen Glacier and Line of Actual Control (LAC), if needed.

It also conveys a message to China that any military adventurism in the above-mentioned areas would be met with an appropriate response.

What’s Next?

A series of tunnels are being constructed on the Manali–Leh Highway. The Atal Tunnel, located under the Rohtang Pass ahead of Manali, is already operational. Another tunnel is under construction at Baralacha La on the Himachal–Ladakh border, while additional tunnels are being built under Tangang La and Lachung La in Ladakh. These three to four all-weather passes, situated at sufficiently high altitudes, fortify the security axis.

All of these tunnels are part of the India-China Border Roads Initiative, which encompasses thousands of kilometres of roads and bridges across northern and northeastern theatres.

Previously, due to the closure of roads for much of the year, troops deployed in these regions were heavily reliant on air-based maintenance. However, during winter, inclement weather often rendered air support erratic. With the development of all-weather roads and forward landing strips, the operational and administrative constraints caused by adverse weather conditions have been significantly mitigated.

Round-the-year troop deployment and access reduce reaction times, enabling faster and more cost-effective mobilisation and force accretion to address rapidly evolving threats. However, beyond enhancing India’s defence capability, infrastructure development in these regions also meets the needs and aspirations of the local population.

Three major visits by India’s Prime Minister to Jammu and Kashmir between February 2024 and January 2025 have marked monumental progress in infrastructure development. Roads, railways, power projects, bridges, ropeways, medical institutes, and lower and higher education facilities have all materialised. This demonstrates the current government’s intent and determination to address decades of neglect by previous administrations.

Passenger train trials over the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest rail bridge, were completed last week. Other projects, including the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link, and ropeways to the Shankaracharya Temple, Shiv Khori Temple, and the Baltal-Amarnath shrine, are in various stages of completion.

So far, Rs 42,000 crore worth of connectivity projects have been completed in Jammu and Kashmir. These include the Katra-Delhi Expressway, four national highway projects, two ring roads, and 14 tunnels. Jammu and Kashmir is no longer an isolated region.

Beyond the strategic significance of the Z-Morh Tunnel lies its potential to boost tourism in the region. Tourism is a key driver of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, and year-round access will bolster businesses. Trade and transportation between Kashmir and Ladakh are also expected to improve due to reduced travel time and enhanced road safety. Additionally, investment flows are likely to increase, further contributing to the region’s economic growth.

Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Progressive India), with Jammu and Kashmir as its crown, is now closer to becoming a reality than ever before.

The demand for restoration of statehood, though, is still pending. On this matter, the Prime Minister has been cautious and has not provided a timeline, limiting his remarks to saying that “there is a right time for anything and everything.” By further stating, “Everything has its right time; right things will take place at the right time,” he has conveyed a clear message to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to remain patient.

While some politicians may vehemently criticise the Central government’s delay in restoring statehood, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, being familiar with the Prime Minister’s remarkable record of keeping his promises, have full confidence in his assurance that “When Modi makes a promise, he fulfils it.”

The author is Editor of Brighter Kashmir, Author, TV commentator, political analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.

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