Jammu and Kashmir: The Regional Divide; Targeting Infrastructure Projects
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS
In one of the worst terror attacks, seven civilians — a local doctor and six non-local workers — were killed at a construction site in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal on October 20. Construction of the strategic Z-Morh tunnel and widening of the highway are under way in the area, which is close to the tourist destination of Sonamarg.
What such incidents may wreck, writes The Asian Age “is not the return of democracy, which is there to stay, but the gains made in the last few years in which FDI started trickling in, dollar and rupee tourism began to surge, and migrant labour came in to help with the infrastructure construction and building activities.”
Omar Abdullah’s “biggest challenge will remain terrorism of the Pakistan-inspired kind as well as the homegrown variety. Their concern would be to not allow the merchants of terror any leeway in giving even a hint of sympathy for their lost cause.”
Limited success of BJP’s election strategy
Although the NC has been the biggest benefactor of the elections, the BJP is a close second. But, “BJP’s electoral strategy, which has traditionally relied on mobilising Hindu voters and appealing to nationalist sentiments,” according to The Statesman “seems to have hit a ceiling in J&K. The party’s attempts to carve out a broader constituency by appealing to minority groups and promising development did not yield the expected results. This suggests that while the BJP has successfully built a strong base in the Hindu-majority areas, it has struggled to overcome the deep-seated political and social divides in the region."
BJP’s future will depend on bridging the regional divide: In the broader context, “the election results in J&K signal a shift in the region’s political landscape. Voters in J&K appear to be gravitating towards parties that promise a commitment to secularism and regional interests, rather than those pushing for broader national agendas. The National Conference and other regional parties, which secured wins in both Jammu and Kashmir, highlight the enduring appeal of local politics in the face of national narratives…..The BJP’s struggle to expand beyond its traditional strongholds suggests that future electoral success will depend not just on redrawing boundaries, but on bridging the divides that continue to define the region’s complex political landscape.”
Targeting infrastructure projects by Pakistan-based terrorists
According to Kashmir watchers, this is the first terror attack on a vital infrastructure project. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the strike at the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh national highway. Once opened, the tunnel will allow rapid movement of troops towards the China border.
While J&K has been plagued by terrorism for more than three decades, this area had not experienced such a violent incident before.
On October 22, J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha directed the securing of vital infrastructure projects across the Union territory, saying the safety and security of workers and officers working on key infrastructure projects is the highest priority for the government.
Protecting ‘Chinese interests’?: The People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), another Pakistan-based militant group, praised the attack, calling it a ‘strategic move’ aimed at halting the construction of the Z-Morh tunnel.
PAFF linked the attack to disrupting Indian military deployments towards the eastern border, invoking the interests of ‘Chinese friends’. Officials, however, downplayed any concrete Chinese involvement, viewing the PAFF’s statement as an attempt to align its activities with China’s strategic goals.
TRF’s Falcon Squad claimed that the Z-Morh tunnel construction was primarily for military purposes. The TRF warned of further attacks on similar infrastructure projects. TRF had issued previous warnings to locals and non-locals, urging them to avoid working on what it deemed “illegal projects”.
Strategic significance of Z-Morh tunnel: The 6.4-km tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh national highway connects picturesque Sonamarg with Kangan town in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. It is named after the Z-shaped road stretch where it is being constructed.
The tunnel passes through areas that are prone to heavy snowfall and avalanches, which make the road to Sonamarg often inaccessible during most of the winter.
Both Z-Morh and Zojila (on the same route) tunnels will ensure all-weather connectivity from Srinagar to Leh throughout the year, enhancing India’s defence capabilities.
They would be vital for the rapid deployment of military personnel and heavy artillery, especially given the proximity to the China border.
Besides, these tunnels are expected to ensure economic development in J&K.
The Z-Morh tunnel is scheduled to be opened next month.
The Centre is also aiming to complete the Zojila project by September 2026. As of August, a little over 50% work has been completed on the tunnel, which passes through the Zojila Pass at an altitude of 11,578ft on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh national highway.
Rahul Gandhi’s pet project: The Times of India recalls, during his 2011 visit to J&K, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had promised to push for the construction of tunnels at Z-Morh and Zojila Pass to improve connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. A year later, he laid the foundation stone for the Z-Morh tunnel, with an initial investment of ₹2,700 crore.
There are currently 19 tunnels under construction across J&K at a cumulative cost of ₹25,000 crore. The Z-Morh tunnel, part of this larger infrastructure development plan, has been built at a cost of ₹2,680 crore.
The two-lane bi-directional tunnel with an escape passage has been designed to handle around 1,000 vehicles per hour.
Economic and social benefits: The Z-Morh tunnel will not only shorten the travel time between Srinagar and Leh but also boost economic and social development in the region. Tourism in Sonamarg will thrive as the tunnel provides year-round access to this tourist destination, promoting activities like whitewater rafting on the Thajiwas glacier and Sindh river.
In 2020, the Union highways ministry kicked off consultation with stakeholders to develop a satellite township along the 18-km stretch between Z-Morh and Zojila tunnels on the Srinagar-Leh highway.
It would be developed as a winter destination with modern facilities for winter sports, luxury accommodation and other necessary infrastructure in collaboration with the administration of Ladakh and J&K.
(With inputs from TOI)
