India’s Modi marks the opening of a strategic tunnel in disputed Kashmir

On January 11, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally opened the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, a town within the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This tunnel has been constructed to provide year-round accessibility to Sonamarg, a place that previously faced isolation due to heavy snowfall. The Z-Morh tunnel, measuring 6.5 kilometers in length, represents only part of a larger infrastructure project worth $932 million, which includes the construction of additional highways, bridges, and a second tunnel to improve connectivity between Kashmir and the cold desert region of Ladakh. Modi's visit to the region was marked by tight security measures, including police checkpoints and drone surveillance, due to the region's history of insurgency and violence associated with disputes over territorial control. The local population has often suffered from limited accessibility during harsh winter months; this new tunnel aims to significantly alleviate that issue. Additionally, it is projected to foster tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, potentially increasing local employment and economic growth. The Z-Morh tunnel's construction was started in 2018, and the project employs advanced engineering techniques to ensure swift transit through difficult mountainous terrain that had been previously obstructed by avalanches. The Indian government has positioned this infrastructure as essential not only for civilian convenience but also for enhancing military logistical capabilities in the sensitive Ladakh region, where tensions with Pakistan and China have persisted. Nevertheless, the project has not been without challenges, including violent incidents, as evidenced by at least seven workers being shot in October 2022 while working on the site, attributed by police to local insurgent activities. The Z-Morh tunnel is part of a broader narrative surrounding Kashmir's status, following the 2019 revocation of its special autonomous status by the Indian government. This decision has further complicated socio-political dynamics in the region, where significant populations continue to support differing visions of Kashmir's governance and affiliation. The completion of the Z-Morh tunnel could serve as a testament to the Indian government's commitment to infrastructure development in the region despite ongoing tensions.