Description

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Context:

The Z-Morh tunnel is set to become the first major milestone in the effort to build a strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh which is open all through the year.

About Z-Morh tunnel

Aspect	Details
Year-round Access	Located in Ganderbal district, central Kashmir. Ensures Sonamarg remains accessible to tourists year-round. Addresses issues of snow and avalanches blocking access in winter.
Tunnel Features	Located under Thajiwas Glacier. Bypass landslide and avalanche-prone areas. Equipped with an intelligent traffic management system to regulate vehicle flow. Facilitates adventure tourism on the Thajiwas Glacier and Sindh River.
Cultural and Tourism Growth	Significant infrastructure for central Kashmir. Expected to boost winter tourism in the region.
Duration	6.5 km long with a dual carriageway. Includes a 10.8 m main tunnel, a modified horseshoe-shaped escape tunnel, and several culverts.
Connectivity	Part of a strategic route to Ladakh, linking with the Zojila Tunnel. Zojila Tunnel will reduce travel time from Ganderbal to Kargil from 3 hours to just 20 minutes.

Geopolitical and strategic importance

The Zojila and Z-Morh tunnels are vital for the movement of goods and personnel especially for the security forces stationed in Ladakh.
The Zojila Pass is currently the only road connecting Kashmir to Ladakh but it is often closed during the winter months due to heavy snow.
Both tunnels are located in Seismic Zone IV requiring robust safety measures to be put in place to prevent structural damage.

Source:

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.The Z-Morh Tunnel, an important infrastructure project, is located in which of the following regions of India?

A) Jammu & Kashmir

B) Himachal Pradesh

C) Uttarakhand

D) Sikkim

Answer: A

Explanation:

The Z-Morh Tunnel is a strategically significant tunnel located in Jammu & Kashmir. It is constructed on the Srinagar-Leh road to ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh, significantly reducing travel time and improving road accessibility in the region.