x

Like our Facebook Page

   
Early Times Newspaper Jammu, Leading Newspaper Jammu
 
Breaking News :   Private hospitals under scanner for Rs 11.82 cr fraud | NC, BJP dismiss alliance speculation amid talk of political realignment | Mahakumbh: 45 cr devotees take holy dip | CM Omar visits Sonamarg fire victims, assures support | Amit Shah asks paramilitary forces to take strong steps for ‘zero terror plan’ | ‘Zero cybercrime cases MHA’s goal’ | Pt Deendayal Upadhyay’s vision continues to inspire BJP: Kavinder | Mandeep Kour reviews Swachhta Survekshan 2025 preparations | NMOPS delegation meets Sadhotra, seek revival of old pension scheme | CRPF Cop's dismissal upheld by Division Bench | PM Modi’s Valuable Advice | Training on Non-Communicable Disease prevention conducted for Medical Officers in Jammu | Indian Red Cross Society conducts blood donation camp & first-aid training | JKEJCC urges Government to address employee issues; warns of protests | Drug peddler caught with heroin-like substance | Kathua leads in agriculture growth for 7th months | AOI delegation meets J&K PCC chairman to discuss industrial concerns | Bovine smuggling bid foiled in Udhampur, 28 cattle rescued | GRP Jammu seizes heroin worth Rs 2 lakh in Kathua, accused arrested | Director Agriculture Jammu conducts extensive field visit | IIMC Jammu organizes awareness program | GDC Hiranagar conducts awareness workshop | SMVDU-TBIC participates in workshop on Semiconductors & AI | NSS Unit of GDC RS Pura continues beautification, cleanliness drive | MLZS Kathua Shines at 13th Open Inter-State Speedball Championship | GDC Ramgarh observes Safer Internet Day with awareness workshop | GDC Darhal celebrates Safer Internet Day | BGSBU observes Safer Internet Day | GDC Thannamandi celebrates Safer Internet Day | GDC Vijaypur celebrated Safer Internet Day | Back Issues  
 
news details
PM Modi to inaugurate Z-Morh Tunnel today
SFs intensify area domination, keep close vigil
1/12/2025 9:21:43 PM

Early Times Report

Srinagar, Jan 12: The security forces on Sunday intensified sanitization efforts and area domination exercise in Kashmir, a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the valley for inauguration of the strategically important Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal district, officials said. The deployment of security personnel has been increased in the vulnerable areas and dozens of checkpoints have been set up at important intersections in various districts to ensure that anti-national elements are not able to move around freely, they said.
The officials said that random checking and frisking of people and vehicles, including two-wheelers, has been intensified while patrolling is also taking place.
“Security has been tightened near the Z-Morh tunnel. Multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place and the PM’s security team, comprising the SPG personnel, has taken over the venue,” they said.
The prime minister is likely to address a public rally after the inauguration of the tunnel at Gagangir, the officials said, adding the venue is now off-limits for the public.
Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces and the Army are part of the security apparatus for Monday’s inauguration. Extensive area domination exercises, searches and patrols are being conducted for the smooth conduct of the event, the officials said.
The sharpshooters have been deployed at vulnerable points while aerial and technical surveillance, including through drones, is also being undertaken. The area is being monitored round-the-clock, they added.
Earlier on October 20 last year, seven people, including a local doctor, were killed in a terrorist attack near the tunnel site in the Gagangir area.
The authorities have closed the Srinagar-Leh national highway from Saturday to Monday “due to icy road conditions caused by inclement weather and to facilitate maintenance work by road maintenance agencies”.
However, it is widely perceived that the arterial road link between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has been shut for the prime minister’s visit.
Built at a cost of Rs 2,400 crore on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, the strategic 6.5-km Z-Morh tunnel will be a major step towards making the Ladakh region accessible by road throughout the year. The work on the project began in May 2015 and was completed last year.
The soft opening of the tunnel was done in February 2024.
The tunnel is vital in terms of the defence needs of the country in the Ladakh region and also connecting the youngest Union Territory to the rest of the country.
Situated at an altitude of 8,650 feet, the Z-Morh tunnel is a two-lane road tunnel equipped with a parallel 7.5-metre-wide escape passage for emergencies.
The tunnel ensures seamless connectivity between Gagangir and Sonamarg, and will ease summer travel to Ladakh.
Along with the under-construction Zojila tunnel, the Z-Morh tunnel will ensure uninterrupted connectivity to Baltal and Ladakh regions for civilian and military traffic.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), which oversees the project, has said the “engineering marvel” is a game changer for the region.
“The Sonamarg Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir is a game-changer for the region, offering more than just a connection between Gagangir and Sonamarg. This engineering marvel is poised to unlock the full potential of the region’s trade and tourism sectors,” the NHIDCL said on X.
It said the tunnel is equipped with cutting-edge technologies that provide real-time updates and seamless connectivity for users. This futuristic infrastructure will not only enhance the travel experience but also set a new standard for road connectivity in the region.
Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hr, ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. This enhanced connectivity will boost defense logistics, drive economic growth and socio-cultural integration across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the officials said.
  Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network  
  Comment on this Story  
 
 
 
Early Times Android App
STOCK UPDATE
  
BSE Sensex
NSE Nifty
 
CRICKET UPDATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Home About Us Top Stories Local News National News Sports News Opinion Editorial ET Cetra Advertise with Us ET E-paper
 
 
J&K RELATED WEBSITES
J&K Govt. Official website
Jammu Kashmir Tourism
JKTDC
Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board
Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board
UTILITY
Train Enquiry
IRCTC
Matavaishnodevi
BSNL
Jammu Kashmir Bank
State Bank of India
PUBLIC INTEREST
Passport Department
Income Tax Department
JK CAMPA
JK GAD
IT Education
Web Site Design Services
EDUCATION
Jammu University
Jammu University Results
JKBOSE
Kashmir University
IGNOU Jammu Center
SMVDU