Sonmarg: The final rock barrier inside what is to be the world’s longest bi-directional tunnel at 11,578 feet was excavated in the presence of Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday.
The strategic all-weather Zojila Tunnel will connect Jammu and Kashmir to Ladakh.
Among the others present were Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah.
The 13.153-km-long tunnel is a key strategic project that will ensure year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. The achievement not only demonstrates the indomitable courage of Indian engineers but also marks the beginning of a new era for millions of people living in the two regions, as reported by timesnow.in.
The tunnel is being built in the Zojila Pass region between Baltal near the Sonmarg hill station of Jammu and Kashmir and Minmaragh in Ladakh’s Drass district. the Zojila Tunnel project was executed to provide all-weather connectivity across one of India’s most challenging Himalayan corridors, which remains cut off for long periods every year due to heavy snowfall, avalanches and extreme weather conditions.
Construction of this tunnel at 11,578 ft above sea level, represents one of the most significant engineering achievements in India’s mountain infrastructure sector.
The tunnel, once completed, will ensure 365-day connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh, improving access to Drass, Kargil, Leh and surrounding regions while significantly strengthening mobility, logistics reliability and strategic access in a sensitive border zone.
All movement between the two regions is now through the treacherous Zojila Pass. Even in fair weather conditions, the time taken for the journey is three hours. The tunnel will bring this down to a mere 15-20 minutes.
The Zojila Tunnel Project carries immense socio-economic and strategic importance. Apart from the movement of civilians, it will allow quicker deployment of troops and equipment at strategic locations.
“It is expected to transform regional connectivity, improve the movement of people and goods, reduce weather-related isolation and support economic activity, tourism and essential services across the region,” an official said.
“The Zojila Tunnel is expected to significantly improve both civilian and military mobility in the region, underlining its role not only as an infrastructure project, but also as a national connectivity and security asset,” he added.
With excavation completed, the tunnel will now get its final shape. The project began on October 1, 2020, and the overall safety achievement is 10 million safe man-hours. It is expected to be completed in 2028.
