Escape from snow: Set for early completion, 6.5-km Z-Morh tunnel to link Sonmarg, Srinagar all year

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will be the first person to travel in the all-weather escape tunnel of Z-Morh main tunnel, connecting Srinagar and Sonmarg, during an inspection here Tuesday.

The 6.5-km escape tunnel is ready to be partially opened for controlled traffic around November, giving tourist destination Sonmarg connectivity to Srinagar, as also maintaining supplies through the winter for the first time.

At 8,960 feet, Sonmarg is covered in snow in the winter months, forcing local residents to shift to Srinagar side. All commercial activity comes to a halt during winter, and due to avalanches, connectivity on Srinagar-Leh highway gets blocked.