Srinagar . Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the opening of the Z-turn tunnel will help in developing Sonamarg resort in Ganderbal district as a winter sports destination like the famous Gulmarg skiing resort town. Abdullah told reporters in Gulmarg, 52 km from here, “Tomorrow Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel. This will help in developing Sonamarg as a winter sports destination.” The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 6.5 km long Z-turn tunnel, which will provide year-round access to Sonamarg city.
Abdullah has come to the beautiful city of Gulmarg in North Kashmir to promote winter sports activities. “In the next five years, we will make all efforts to develop Sonamarg as a winter sports destination, just like we have developed Gulmarg,” he said. Abdullah said he had come to Gulmarg to record a program to promote tourism.
“If more tourists come here, it will mean more income for locals, whether they are ski guides, ski instructors, sled operators, ATV and snowmobile operators or small businesses like restaurants and dhabas,” he said. The Chief Minister also said that the Khelo India Winter Games will be held in Gulmarg in February this year and the Union Territory is preparing to host the event.
He said, “We still have some time before the Khelo India Winter Games. “I expect more snowfall before then.” When asked if Gulmarg was ready to host an international winter sports event, Abdullah replied, “We can’t even think about it at this point of time. Our slopes are not at that level yet. We need to improve our slopes before hosting international events.
