SRINAGAR: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday marked the final breakthrough of the Zoji-La Tunnel, a key milestone in the construction of the strategic project aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The breakthrough was achieved in the 13.153-kilometre tunnel being built beneath the Zoji-La Pass on National Highway-1. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to ensure year-round access to Ladakh, which remains cut off for extended periods during winter due to heavy snowfall and the seasonal closure of the pass.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were present at the event, underlining the project’s importance for Jammu and Kashmir as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said the tunnel would provide uninterrupted connectivity between Srinagar and Leh, help end Ladakh’s winter isolation, and contribute to improved strategic mobility, tourism and economic activity in the region.
The Zoji-La Tunnel, being constructed at an altitude of about 11,578 feet above sea level, is designed to be the world’s longest single-tube, bi-directional road tunnel at such a height. The project is being executed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).
The tunnel will bypass the avalanche-prone Zoji-La Pass, which remains inaccessible for several months each year because of harsh winter conditions. The completion of the final structural excavation breakthrough marks a significant stage in the project’s progress ahead of commissioning.
Upon becoming operational, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time across the sector from more than three hours to around 15 minutes. It is also expected to improve connectivity to remote areas, facilitate the movement of goods and services, support tourism, and strengthen logistical support for the Indian Armed Forces in strategically important border regions.
The breakthrough is regarded as a major step towards the completion of a project considered vital for Ladakh’s economic development, social integration and strategic connectivity with the rest of the country.
