A major tunnel project is about to complete at Zojila which would act as a critical transport corridor, reducing travel disruptions and ensuring seamless movement between Kashmir and Ladakh throughout the year. It would surely boost the movement between Kashmir and Ladakh.
India’s longest road tunnel project at Zojila is set to achieve a major milestone on Tuesday, with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari scheduled to attend the breakthrough ceremony of the main tunnel being constructed between Kashmir and Ladakh.
Officials said Gadkari will visit Sonamarg to trigger the breakthrough blast for Zojila Tunnel, marking a significant stage in the Rs 6,500-crore strategic infrastructure project that is expected to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
The 13.15-km-long tunnel, being constructed at an altitude of 11,578 feet by Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), has witnessed excavation of more than 13 kilometres. The project is now nearing the crucial stage where the excavation faces from the Baltal and Minamarg ends meet. Located about 24 kilometres from Sonamarg and 103 kilometres from Srinagar, the tunnel is expected to transform connectivity to Ladakh by ensuring year-round access to Drass, Kargil and Leh, which remain cut off for several months each year due to heavy snowfall and avalanches at the Zojila Pass.
In a statement, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways described the project as one of the most challenging engineering undertakings in the Himalayas and said it was set to achieve a historic milestone with the breakthrough blasting of the main tunnel.
Earlier, Harpal Singh, Joint Chief Operating Officer of MEIL, said excavation work had entered its final phase, with only a few metres remaining before the two ends of the tunnel meet. According to the company, tunnelling work was carried out simultaneously from the Baltal side in Kashmir and the Minamarg side in Ladakh to accelerate construction and meet project timelines.
Following the breakthrough, work will shift to the next phase, including concrete lining, installation of ventilation systems, electrical infrastructure and other safety features required for tunnel operations. The project will also include a dedicated walkway for maintenance and emergency response.
The tunnel is being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a specialised engineering technique widely used for tunnelling in complex mountain terrain. Construction began in October 2020 and has continued despite difficult weather conditions and challenging terrain. Officials said the tunnel will not only strengthen strategic connectivity but also boost tourism, trade and economic activity in the region.
MEIL said more than 1,200 personnel have been engaged in the project, with nearly 80 per cent of the workforce drawn from local communities. Despite facing five avalanche incidents during construction, including a major avalanche in January 2023 in which 172 workers were rescued by the Army, the project has recorded 10 million safe man-hours.
