PM Modi’s big gift to Kashmir
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the Z Mod Tunnel to the nation today i.e. 13 January. Let us tell you that this Z-turn tunnel is very important diplomatically for India. With this tunnel operational, the Indian Army will be able to reach the border areas throughout the year without any hindrance. Earlier, due to lack of tunnel, army and common vehicles were not able to pass through this area due to heavy snowfall during winter time. But now because of this tunnel there will be no hindrance in traffic even after heavy snowfall. This tunnel of India has given sleepless nights to Pakistan and China. After the opening of this tunnel, the terrorists who were preparing to enter India from this area are also going to be destroyed. The Indian Army will now be able to easily reach those areas from where these terrorists were trying to take advantage of heavy snowfall and enter the Indian border. Today we are going to tell you in detail about this tunnel.
This distance of 12 kilometers will now be covered in just 15 minutes.
This tunnel is being called Z turn tunnel because it is in the shape of the English letter Z. After the construction of this tunnel, now the distance of 12 kilometers has reduced to 6.5 kilometers. And it will take only 15 minutes to complete this distance. The biggest benefit from the opening of this tunnel will be that now no one will have the fear of being stuck on the highway for hours due to avalanche while passing through here during the winter season. Let us tell you that after the completion of Zojila tunnel, the Srinagar-Leh road will remain open throughout the year. The work on this project started in May 2015. The construction work of the tunnel was completed last year i.e. in 2024.
Why is this tunnel special?
This tunnel is special for many reasons. It is being told that with the commencement of this tunnel, vehicles will run at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour. According to an estimate, this tunnel has the capacity to move 1000 vehicles every hour. This tunnel is 10 meters wide and along with it an escape tunnel of seven and a half meters has been made.
Traffic will no longer be disrupted due to snowfall
The area where the Z Mod Tunnel falls on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Highway often receives heavy snowfall. Due to excessive snowfall, a large part of the highway is closed for several months. But now this will not happen, now due to the Z turn tunnel built under this project and another tunnel being built along with it, along with the common people, the Indian Army will also be able to use this highway without any hindrance throughout the year. The first of the two tunnels being built under this project is the Z turn tunnel which is between Gagangir and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district. Whereas the second tunnel whose length is 14 kilometers is Zojila and it will go from Baltal across Zojila pass via mini route to Dras.
What is the purpose of this tunnel
Let us tell you that a total expenditure of Rs 2400 crore has been incurred in preparing this 6.5 kilometer long tunnel. The purpose of building it is to improve the connectivity between Srinagar to Sonmarg and later to Ladakh. This tunnel is located at an altitude of more than 8,500 feet above sea level. This stretch of road has been particularly sensitive to winter weather. With the construction of Z Mod Tunnel on this route, these challenges will be eliminated to a great extent.
