Source: IE
Context: Seven workers of the infrastructure company APCO Infratech, involved in constructing the Z-Morh tunnel, were killed in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
About Z-Morh Tunnel:
- Location: 6.4 km tunnel located near Gagangir village in Ganderbal district, connecting Sonamarg and Kangan in central Kashmir.
- Strategic importance: Part of the larger Zojila tunnel project, providing all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh, vital for military access to border areas.
- Altitude: Situated at over 8,500 feet, the tunnel bypasses snow-prone regions, ensuring year-round access.
- Construction: Initially conceived by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 2012, later transferred to NHIDCL; APCO Infratech is executing the project.
- Completion: Soft-opened in February 2024, with full completion delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for J&K elections.
- Military importance: Provides crucial connectivity for Indian defence forces to border areas like Siachen Glacier and Eastern Ladakh, especially given ongoing tensions with China and Pakistan.
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