JAMMU, India — On Monday, India’s prime minister celebrated the inauguration of a significant tunnel in the northeastern region of the disputed Kashmir, designed to provide year-round access to a town that gets heavily snowbound during winter months.
This extensive $932 million initiative incorporates a second tunnel along with several bridges and high-altitude roads, connecting the Kashmir region with Ladakh, a cold desert area wedged between India, Pakistan, and China, which has been a site of ongoing territorial disputes for many years.
During a visit to the picturesque town of Sonamarg, Narendra Modi officially opened the 6.5-kilometer (4-mile) Z-Morh tunnel. Sonamarg serves as the gateway to the lush, conifer-filled mountains of the Kashmir Valley before transitioning into the rugged Zojila mountain pass leading into Ladakh. This newly constructed tunnel will allow for uninterrupted access to the area throughout the entire year for the first time.
A second tunnel, anticipated to span approximately 14 kilometers (9 miles), is planned to circumvent the challenging terrain of the Zojila pass, linking Sonamarg with Ladakh. It is projected to be finished by 2026.
Both Sonamarg and Ladakh have been severely affected by heavy snowfall that often closes access routes, leaving these regions isolated from nearby towns for up to six months annually. In anticipation of the prime minister’s visit, authorities deployed a significant number of police and military personnel in the vicinity, setting up multiple checkpoints at critical intersections. Additional security measures included sharpshooters positioned at strategic points and the use of drone surveillance for enhanced oversight.
Speaking at a public meeting that drew hundreds despite freezing temperatures, Modi emphasized that this ambitious infrastructure project would significantly enhance road connectivity and stimulate tourism within the region. The gathering also saw the attendance of several of Modi’s Cabinet ministers and Jammu and Kashmir’s chief minister, Omar Abdullah.
Experts highlight that this tunneling project holds vital importance for military operations, as it will substantially improve India’s ability to conduct activities in Ladakh, while also facilitating uninterrupted movement for civilians between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh throughout the year.
In a troubling incident the previous month, gunmen attacked workers involved in the tunnel construction, resulting in the fatalities of at least seven individuals and injuring five others. Authorities attributed this violence to insurgents engaged in a struggle against Indian governance in the region for many years.
In 2019, the Indian government rescinded Kashmir’s special status as a semi-autonomous region, along with its separate constitution and protections for land ownership and employment. The region was subsequently restructured into two union territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir, marking a historic shift in the governance of the area.
Kashmir remains claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan, despite each country administering a portion. Since 1989, militants in the Indian-administered territory have been resisting New Delhi’s rule, with many local Muslims aligning with the rebels’ objective of uniting the region under either Pakistani governance or as an independent nation.
India accuses Pakistan of backing the militant efforts, while Pakistan refutes these claims, with many Kashmiris regarding the insurgency as a legitimate struggle for freedom. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians, militants, and government personnel.
Moreover, Indian and Chinese military forces have been in a standoff in Ladakh since 2020, although both nations reached an agreement in October regarding joint patrols in disputed areas. They have stationed tens of thousands of troops along their border, fortified by artillery, tanks, and fighter jets to ensure increased security.
