• Prime Minister Modi inaugurates the Z-Morh tunnel in Kashmir, enhancing year-round accessibility.
• The $932 million project includes two tunnels, bridges, and roads, improving connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Extreme winter conditions often isolate Sonamarg and Ladakh, hindering movement for nearly six months each year.
• Security was heightened during the inauguration due to past attacks on project workers attributed to insurgents.
• Experts highlight military advantages and tourism boosts from improved infrastructure in the region.

In a significant development for regional infrastructure, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 6.5-kilometer Z-Morh tunnel in the Sonamarg region of disputed Kashmir on Monday. This groundbreaking project, estimated at $932 million, aims to provide all-year accessibility to the town, which is heavily isolated during winter snowfalls. The new tunnel, alongside a planned second tunnel of 14 kilometers that will bypass the challenging Zojila pass, is designed to fortify links between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, a strategically important desert region between India, Pakistan, and China, embroiled in territorial disputes for decades.

During the inauguration, which took place in a high-security atmosphere, Modi emphasized the project's significance for both military logistics and civilian connectivity. "This ambitious undertaking will not only improve road accessibility but also foster tourism in the region," he stated, highlighting the anticipated benefits for the local economy. The Z-Morh tunnel will alleviate the seasonal disconnection experienced by residents of Sonamarg and Ladakh, where heavy snowfall frequently blocks mountain passes.

Authorities had heightened security measures for the event, deploying police and military personnel to key locations and conducting drone surveillance. This precaution arose following a tragic incident in October, where gunmen attacked project workers, resulting in seven fatalities and several injuries, attributed to insurgent activity opposing Indian governance in the region.

Since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019, the territory has seen increased tensions. This alteration not only downgraded its status to a centrally governed union territory but also exacerbated long-standing conflicts between India and Pakistan over the region, which both countries claim entirely. With ongoing military posturing from India and China in Ladakh since 2020, the strategic importance of this new infrastructure becomes even more pronounced.

In summary, Modi's inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel marks a pivotal moment in enhancing connectivity in a politically sensitive area, potentially altering both civil and military dynamics in the region.

For more details, you can read the full articles from AP News and VOA News.