New Delhi [India]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir today to inaugurate the Sonmarg Tunnel, a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity and promoting regional development. The inauguration will take place around 11:45 am, followed by a public address by PM Modi.
Sonmarg Tunnel Overview
The Sonmarg Tunnel, which spans approximately 12 km, has been constructed at a cost of over Rs 2,700 crore. Key components of the project include:
- Main Tunnel: 6.4 km long.
- Additional Features: Egress tunnel and approach roads.
- Strategic Location: Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above sea level.
This tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonmarg, bypassing hazardous avalanche-prone routes, and providing safer access to the strategically important Ladakh region.
Impact on Connectivity and Tourism
The tunnel will significantly improve road access by reducing travel time and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, which is crucial for both military logistics and civilian travel. The project is expected to boost winter tourism, adventure sports, and the local economy by transforming Sonmarg into a year-round destination.
- Route Impact: The tunnel, along with the future Zojila Tunnel, which will be completed by 2028, will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and improve vehicle speed from 30 km/h to 70 km/h, ensuring smooth connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh.
- Defence and Economic Boost: The improved connectivity will enhance defence logistics and stimulate economic growth and socio-cultural integration across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
PM Modi’s Acknowledgement of Workers
In addition to the inauguration, PM Modi is set to meet and recognize the efforts of the construction workers who have worked under challenging conditions to bring this engineering project to fruition.
The Sonmarg Tunnel is expected to be a game-changer for the region, contributing to the development of critical infrastructure and boosting tourism and trade in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.