Z Morh Tunnel (Sonamarg Tunnel), Banihal Bypass, Anji Khad Bridge

In January 2025 Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) has witnessed several significant infrastructure developments aimed at improving connectivity, enhancing security, and boosting economic growth. These projects, including the Z Morh Tunnel, Banihal Bypass, and Anji Khad Bridge.

 

Z Morh Tunnel (Sonamarg Tunnel)

 

1. The Z Morh Tunnel, located in the Sonamarg area of Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister to enhance connectivity and safety in the region.
2. The tunnel is a significant milestone in the development of infrastructure in the region, aimed at ensuring year-round access to the Ladakh region.
    

 

Key Details:
 

1. Initiation: The project was initially started by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in 2015, and later evolved under the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
2. Construction Firm: The APCO Infratech firm played a crucial role in executing the project.
3. Location: Situated at an altitude of 8,650 feet, it spans a total of 12 kilometers, which includes:
   1. 6.4 km of the main tunnel.
   2. An egress tunnel and approach roads.
4. Tunnel Structure: It is a two-lane road tunnel with a parallel 7.5-meter-wide escape passage.
    

Significance:
 

1. All-weather Connectivity: The tunnel ensures uninterrupted all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, which is a key route to Leh.
2. Enhanced Safety and Access to Ladakh: It will provide safe, seamless access to the Ladakh region, especially during harsh winter months when the traditional routes are closed.
3. Tourism Promotion: By improving infrastructure, the tunnel is expected to boost tourism in Sonamarg, especially promoting winter tourism, adventure sports, and enhancing local livelihoods.

 

Banihal Bypass

 

The Banihal Bypass has been completed as a critical part of the National Highway 44 (NH-44) in Jammu and Kashmir.
 

Key Details:
 

1. Location: The bypass is a 2.35 km road section of NH-44 in Jammu and Kashmir.
2. NH-44: Known as the Old NH 7, NH-44 is the longest national highway in India, stretching a massive 3,745 kilometers from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, connecting the northern and southern extremes of the country.
    

Significance:
 

1. Security: The Banihal bypass plays a crucial role in facilitating rapid movement for security forces in the region, ensuring better control and response.
2. Travel Time Reduction: It reduces travel time between Kharpora, Banihal, and the Navyuga Tunnel to just seven minutes, making the journey much faster and more efficient.

 

Anji Khad Bridge

 

The Anji Khad Bridge is a remarkable engineering feat by Indian Railways. It is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, enhancing the rail network in Jammu and Kashmir.
 

Key Details:
 

1. Location: Situated in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, the bridge is a vital part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, which aims to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the Indian Railways network.
2. Dimensions:
   1. Length: 725.5 meters.
   2. Height: 331 meters above the Anji River, which is a tributary of the Chenab River.
       

Significance:
 

1. Enhanced Connectivity: The Anji Khad Bridge will significantly improve connectivity between Katra and the Kashmir Valley, making rail travel smoother and more reliable.
2. Boost to Tourism: This bridge is expected to increase tourism in the region, making it easier for visitors to travel between important tourist destinations like Vaishno Devi and the Kashmir Valley.
3. Economic Growth: The bridge will also foster overall economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir by improving the transport infrastructure and facilitating easier movement of goods and people.

 

The Z Morh Tunnel, Banihal Bypass, and Anji Khad Bridge represent transformative infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir. These developments not only enhance connectivity and safety but also provide a boost to tourism, economic growth, and security in the region. They are crucial steps toward modernizing the region's infrastructure and ensuring better accessibility to remote areas, while contributing to national integration.