Srinagar, Sonamarg, Ladakh and India : How the Z-Morh Tunnel is Enhancing Connectivity and Positioning Kashmir as a Popular Travel Hotspot

Published on February 7, 2025

The Z-Morh Tunnel, officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13, 2025, has been widely recognized as a transformative infrastructure project for Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu & Kashmir. Tourism and transport experts believe that this development will redefine travel accessibility in the region, ensuring a year-round flow of visitors, unlike in the past when harsh winters would cut off access.

Located strategically on National Highway 1 (NH-1), the tunnel is already stimulating tourism growth, attracting adventure seekers, nature lovers, and winter sports enthusiasts from across India and beyond. The travel industry has taken note of Sonamarg’s potential as a winter travel hub, as local businesses report an increase in visitors and economic activity.

Infrastructure That Changes Travel Patterns

The ₹2,717 crore project features a 6.4-km-long bi-directional tunnel, complemented by a parallel escape tunnel for safety. Additionally, it includes:

• A 3.7 km creeper lane designed to accommodate heavily loaded vehicles
• 4.6 km of western approach road and 0.9 km of eastern approach road
• Two major bridges and one minor bridge, enhancing connectivity and logistics

Authorities overseeing the project emphasized that this engineering marvel ensures uninterrupted access to Sonamarg, even during the heavy snowfall season, a factor that previously deterred travelers and disrupted local businesses.

Tourism and Business: A Year-Round Revival

Local vendors and business owners, who were previously forced to shut down for six months, have expressed optimism regarding the economic revival brought by the tunnel. One vendor explained that they could now earn throughout the year, unlike in earlier times when the region’s seasonal closures limited their income.

Hospitality and tourism industry stakeholders anticipate higher hotel occupancy rates, improved investment in restaurants, homestays, and adventure sports, and an increase in long-term tourism-driven employment.

Sonamarg’s New Identity: A Four-Season Tourist Destination

With continuous road access, Sonamarg is positioning itself as a destination that welcomes travelers all year round. Previously, the tourism department would remove the town’s signage in November, signaling the seasonal closure, but this practice is now obsolete.

Visitors have already started exploring the region’s snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes, and glaciers, fueling interest in winter tourism activities such as:

• Skiing and Snowboarding – Sonamarg can now compete with Gulmarg in offering adventure tourism in the winter months.
• Trekking & Camping – Trekkers are benefiting from uninterrupted access to famous spots like Vishansar Lake and Krishansar Lake.
• Cultural & Heritage Tourism – The tunnel’s connectivity enables travelers to extend their stay and explore nearby attractions.

Boosting Connectivity Between Srinagar and Ladakh

Alongside the Zojila Tunnel—scheduled for completion by 2028—the Z-Morh Tunnel significantly reduces travel distances and time between Srinagar and Ladakh. Officials noted that the route length will be shortened from 49 km to 43 km, while vehicle speed will increase from 30 km/h to 70 km/h, ensuring seamless movement for both tourists and commercial transport.

Tour operators predict that Ladakh-bound tourists will now make additional stops at Sonamarg, thereby expanding the travel circuit and increasing revenue opportunities for local businesses.

A Regional Economic & Tourism Boost

With this strategic connectivity upgrade, Sonamarg is witnessing:

• A surge in hotel bookings for winter months
• An increase in demand for local crafts, souvenirs, and traditional Kashmiri cuisine
• More transport services, including shared cabs, private taxis, and bus routes, making travel easier

Additionally, defense and logistics experts highlighted how the tunnel will improve military mobility, strengthening India’s strategic infrastructure in the Himalayas.

The Future: What This Means for Global Travelers

The completion of the Z-Morh Tunnel aligns with a broader global travel trend where destinations previously limited by seasonal closures are now becoming accessible throughout the year. Travel agencies and tourism boards have already started marketing Sonamarg as an all-season getaway, tapping into both domestic and international travelers looking for unique Himalayan experiences.

With improved infrastructure, travelers from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata are now more inclined to book winter getaways to Kashmir, leading to an anticipated rise in airline and rail bookings to Srinagar International Airport.

Conclusion: A Milestone for India’s Tourism Industry

The Z-Morh Tunnel has not just improved accessibility; it has redefined Sonamarg’s position on India’s tourism map. By enabling seamless travel to one of Kashmir’s most scenic locations, this development represents a new era in regional tourism, promising economic stability for local communities while enhancing the travel experience for adventurers, families, and cultural explorers alike.

As Sonamarg steps into the global tourism spotlight, industry leaders expect the town to emerge as a must-visit destination in India’s travel landscape, one that thrives across all four seasons.