8 Things To Know About Z-Morh Tunnel, Where 7 Shot Dead By Terrorists

Terrorists shot dead a doctor and six workers of the infrastructure company APCO Infratech. This is said to be the first terrorist attack on a key infrastructure project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Terrorists shot dead a doctor and six workers of the infrastructure company APCO Infratech, which is constructing the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, in Jammu and Kashmir's Gandebal district on Sunday. The terrorists carried out the attack when the labourers and other staff working on the tunnel project at Gund had returned to their camp late in the evening, officials said. Five others were injured in the attack.

The attack was the deadliest on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir since the June 9 incident in Reasi in Jammu region when nine pilgrims were killed after terrorists fired at a bus and it plunged into a valley. This is also said to be the first terrorist attack on a key infrastructure project in the union territory. Here are a few facts about the Centre's Z-Morh tunnel project:

• The 6.5-km tunnel is being built under the mountain glacier Thajiwas Glacier, connecting Gagangir and the tourist paradise of Sonamarg. 


• Z-Morh tunnel is one of the central government's key projects that aims to ease connectivity through the challenging terrains of Kashmir and Ladakh. 


• This two-lane road tunnel is being built under the mountain glacier Thajiwas Glacier between Gagangir and Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir.


• In a big boost to tourism in the region, the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, a famous tourist destination on the Srinagar-Leh highway which is closed in winter due to snowfall. and is prone to snow avalanches.


• Under the project, a main tunnel of a total length of 10.8 meters with a modified horseshoe-shaped escape tunnel of a total length of 7.5 meters is proposed, as per the Press Information Bureau.


• The project was expected to be completed by August 2023, but it was delayed and a soft opening of the tunnel was carried out in February this year. Its inauguration was delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct in place because of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.


• The tunnel got its name from the Z-shaped road stretch at the place where the tunnel is being constructed.


• It has an Intelligent Traffic Management System that will help in managing traffic. Along with this, traffic will be facilitated through the dedicated escape tunnel.