A multi-layer security arrangement has been put in Kashmir Valley ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on Monday.
“We have made a multi-tier security arrangement for the VVIP visit as per the Standard Operating Procedure laid down for such events,” a police officer said on Friday.
In Sonamarg, security arrangements have been intensified with the coordinated efforts of the police, paramilitary forces and the Army, a local news agency reported. These measures include area domination exercises, thorough searches, and regular patrols to ensure the safety of the event and its attendees, it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the 6.4-kilometer-long Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg Highway on January 13.
The Z-Morh tunnel, along with the 13-kilometer-long under-construction Zojila tunnel, forms a crucial part of a strategic project for ensuring round-the-year connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh region which remains closed during the winters due to heavy snowfall.
The road used before was avalanche-prone and often got blocked for several months, but the Z-Morh tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town. It takes only 15 minutes to travel the 6.5 km long tunnel compared to hours over the zig-zag road up and down the hills.
Together with the adjacent Zoji-La Tunnel, this geostrategically important tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh Highway will provide year-round weather-proof connectivity to Baltal (Amarnath cave), Kargil and other places in the Ladakh region.
It will also enhance military logistics and boost tourism and the economy. In addition to providing all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, the tunnel will help the employment of local youth and boost tourism and allied activities in the area. It is one of the 31 road tunnels, 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh. The construction of the tunnel was started in 2018.
Pertinent to mention here that, the work on the 6.5-km Z-Morh tunnel, part of a strategic project and a first step towards ensuring round-the-year connectivity between Kashmir valley and Ladakh region. The Z-Morh tunnel which is a stretch of 6.5 km will connect Sonamarg along with a 5 km approach road is a project worth Rs 2,300 crores. It is a bi-direction tunnel along with an escape tunnel for any eventuality.
The work on strategic Z-Morh, which is part of Srinagar Sonamarg Tunnelway (SST) was halted for two years between 2017-2019 due to the financial crunch faced by the then main executing agency IL&FS who later abandoned the work. The project was earlier allotted to Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), but the contractor abandoned it after IL&FS Group faced a financial crunch. The government had to invite bids for the second time for the project on June 24, 2019 with a TPC of Rs 2,378.76 crore on BOT – build operate transfer – (Annuity) basis. The government later awarded the crucial Z-MorhTunnel to APCO Amarnathji Tunnelway Pvt Ltd to be built at a cost of Rs 2,379 crore.
People associated with the tourism and trade in Sonamarg have demanded the opening of Z Morh tunnel as soon as possible so that the visitors have a better experience and Sonamarg will be developed on the tourism map which will eventually lead to the social economic development of the region.
Security beefed up ahead of PM Modi’s visit
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