The short answer
Z-Morh Tunnel: what visitors should know first
Not a sightseeing stop, but worth knowing about: this is the tunnel you will pass through on the drive up from Srinagar, and it is the reason Sonamarg is now reachable in more weather than before. There is nothing to get out and see at either portal.
History and context
The story behind Z-Morh Tunnel
The tunnel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 January 2025 and opened to traffic the same day, after being built to bypass the avalanche-prone Z-shaped section of the old Sonamarg road.
Useful facts
Z-Morh Tunnel facts at a glance
- Location
- Between Gagangir and Sonamarg, on NH1
- Known for
- 6.5 km all-weather tunnel, opened January 2025
- Architect/Built
- Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, 13 January 2025
- Time or schedule
- Open year-round; two-lane, 80 km/h speed limit
Why it matters
Why Z-Morh Tunnel is worth your time
Before this tunnel, the road above Gagangir closed for winter almost every year, cutting Sonamarg off from Srinagar for months and limiting the tourist season to summer and early autumn. Local guesthouses, transport operators and the wider Sonamarg economy were built around that seasonal closure.
The tunnel changes that pattern. All-weather access means a longer visitor season is now possible, alongside more reliable movement of supplies, pilgrims heading to Baltal for the Amarnath Yatra, and traffic bound for Ladakh once the second tunnel at Zoji La is finished. It is a rare case of a piece of infrastructure being genuinely visible in how a Himalayan town's tourism season works.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The Gagangir portal
The western entrance, reached after the drive up from Srinagar, marks where the old avalanche-prone road is now bypassed.
- 02
The Sonamarg portal
The eastern end opens out near the town itself, cutting what used to be a much longer and slower final stretch.
- 03
The onward Zoji La tunnel
A second, longer tunnel further east, still under construction, is intended to eventually extend all-weather access towards Ladakh.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The Z-Morh Tunnel runs 6.5 km between Gagangir and Sonamarg on National Highway 1, and was inaugurated and opened to traffic on 13 January 2025. It replaces a steep, winding stretch of road, nicknamed for its Z-shaped bends, that was prone to avalanches and routinely closed the approach to Sonamarg in winter.
For visitors, the tunnel is entirely functional: a two-lane, well-lit passage you drive through in a few minutes as part of the journey from Srinagar, with no reason to stop at either portal. Its significance is what it enables rather than what it looks like, since it gives Sonamarg, and the road on towards Baltal and Zoji La, all-weather connectivity that the old road never had.
It is also the first of two tunnels planned for this stretch of highway. A second, much longer tunnel under Zoji La itself, further east, is still under construction and will eventually extend all-weather access towards Ladakh.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Do not expect a stop, viewpoint or facility here; it is a through-drive only
- Ask your driver about current road and tunnel conditions before starting the journey
- Note this tunnel is separate from the still-under-construction Zoji La tunnel further east
- Keep to the posted speed limit inside the tunnel
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Between Gagangir and Sonamarg, on NH1
- Time needed
- A few minutes to drive through
- Best time
- Any time; its purpose is to work through the year
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- No walking involved; you simply drive through as part of the journey to Sonamarg, with no stop required.
- Tickets and access
- No ticket; it is a functioning two-lane national highway tunnel, not a tourist site with an entrance.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Z-Morh Tunnel
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
No walking involved; you simply drive through as part of the journey to Sonamarg, with no stop required.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is the Z-Morh Tunnel open?
Yes. It has been open to traffic since it was inaugurated on 13 January 2025.
Does the Z-Morh Tunnel reach Ladakh?
No. It only connects Gagangir and Sonamarg. A separate, longer tunnel under Zoji La, further east, is still under construction and will eventually extend all-weather access towards Ladakh.
Why was the Z-Morh Tunnel built?
To give Sonamarg all-weather road access by bypassing a steep, avalanche-prone stretch of the old road that closed regularly in winter.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
