Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a strategic tunnel on Monday in the northeast region of disputed Kashmir, ensuring year-round access to a town previously isolated by heavy winter snowfall.

The $932 million project includes a newly opened 6.5-kilometer (4-mile) Z-Morh tunnel and plans for a second, 14-kilometer (9-mile) tunnel expected by 2026. The development aims to connect Kashmir with Ladakh, a region with longstanding territorial disputes involving India, Pakistan, and China.

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The Z-Morh tunnel ensures all-season connectivity to Sonamarg, a town marking the transition between the Kashmir Valley's forests and the rugged Zojila mountain pass leading to Ladakh. Severe snowfalls have historically cut off this area from neighboring regions for half the year.

During the high-security visit, Modi addressed the public and emphasized the tunnel's significance for both civilians and the military. Enhanced security measures included police deployment, checkpoints, sharpshooters, and drone surveillance.

In October, insurgents targeted the project, killing seven workers and injuring five others. Authorities attributed the attack to militants opposing Indian rule in the region.

The project is expected to strengthen military logistics in Ladakh, a sensitive area bordering China and Pakistan, while also improving civilian mobility between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.

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The opening comes amidst ongoing tensions in Kashmir, following the Indian government’s controversial 2019 decision to revoke the region’s semi-autonomous status and divide it into two federally governed territories.

Kashmir remains a focal point of conflict between India and Pakistan, with both nations claiming the region in its entirety. The decades-long insurgency has resulted in significant loss of life among civilians, militants, and security forces.