Work on Z-Morh tunnel remains ‘suspended’

The excitement brought by the commencement of work on Z-Morh tunnel among people in Ganderbal district is fast waning as work on the prestigious project has been severely hit owing to the “financial crisis” faced by its main executing agency, the infrastructure leasing and financial services (IL&FS), an official source said Tuesday.

The 6.5-km-long tunnel is part of a mega project to connect Kashmir with Ladakh by making the Srinagar-Leh highway an all-weather route.

   

But, according to various stakeholders, the delay in execution of the vital project has marred hopes of ensuring all-weather road connectivity to the famous health resort of Sonamarg, which falls along the Srinagar-Leh highway.

The government of India had approved and sanctioned construction of two vital tunnels on the strategic Srinagar-Kargil highway, including the 14-km-long Zojila tunnel and 6.5-km-long Z-Morh tunnel in the Gagangeer-Sonamarg area.

In the first phase, the government had approved construction of the Z-morh tunnel to make Sonamarg an all-weather tourist destination, the official source said.

The road to Sonamarg remains closed for about five months during winters as the area, right from Gagangeer up to Sonamarg, experiences heavy snowfall.

Local residents say apart from increasing footfall of visitors to Sonamarg, especially during winters, the construction of the tunnel would enhance safety of highway users and generate lot of local employment avenues.

“The all-weather road connectivity will boost tourism and local economic activities in villages, towns and other areas falling in or situated close to the highway,” senior National Conference leader and former MLA Kangan, Mian Altaf Ahmed, told Greater Kashmir.

“The Z-Morh tunnel is a vital project and with its completion, the famous health resort of Sonamarg will become all-weather tourist destination and improve the economic condition of the locals,” he said, adding: “The previous government and present administration under governor’s rule seem to be non-serious about it”.

“Dr Farooq Abdullah, the National Conference president, had listed a question about Z-Morh tunnel in the Lok Sabha recently, but it wasn’t included in the business of the House and was omitted”, Ahmad said.

A source in the IL&FS told Greater Kashmir that a number of workers from Kashmir were engaged in the construction work of the Z-morh tunnel as labourers, skilled and unskilled workers to earn their livelihood.

But, he said, the work has been suspended and a majority of them have lost their jobs after being relieved by the executing agency allegedly due to its financial crisis.

Tourism players believe that Sonamarg can become a hub of adventure activities because it has a huge potential for winter sports and adventure activities if the road to the place remains open during winter months.

Meanwhile, a senior official of NIHDCL, a fully-owned subsidiary of the union ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), told Greater Kashmir that they have sent a notice to the IL&FS about the suspension of work.

“Consultations at the highest level in the management are going on and it is expected that within a week’s time, there will be some outcome,” he said, wishing anonymity.

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