Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday made a strong appeal to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, urging him to use his influence to help establish direct and regular air connectivity to Kargil, even as the Zojila Tunnel project achieved a major construction milestone.
Speaking at the breakthrough ceremony of the Zojila tunnel here, Abdullah congratulated the people of Ladakh for getting closer to the realisation of the dream of all-weather connectivity. “I congratulate the people of Ladakh and thank Gadkari and his officers in the ministry for this breakthrough, which will bring us closer to the dream of all-weather connectivity,” Abdullah said.
The chief minister, however, said that while one dream of the people of Ladakh is close to getting fulfilled, another – that of direct and regular air connectivity to Kargil – is yet to take shape.“Another dream needs to be realised, i.e., regular and direct air service to Kargil. I had tried but without success. This is another long-standing demand of the people of Kargil,” he said.
In his appeal to the Union Minister, Abdullah described Gadkari as a “dynamic person and a doer,” requesting him to use his influence to help make improved air connectivity a reality alongside road infrastructure development.The Zojila Tunnel breakthrough was achieved after a controlled blast removed the final 2.5-metre rock barrier, connecting both ends of the high-altitude tunnel. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Officials confirmed that the tunnel, once completed, will become the world’s longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel, significantly reducing travel time across the Zojila Pass from around 1.5 hours to just 15–30 minutes, depending on final operational conditions.The tunnel will ensure year-round connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, ending the decades-long seasonal isolation caused by heavy snowfall that often blocks the Zojila Pass during winter months.
Chief Minister Abdullah highlighted the hardships faced by people due to winter closures, noting that the region has long struggled with disruptions in transport, healthcare access, education, tourism, and trade.“For decades, people of the region faced immense hardship due to the closure of the Zojila Pass in winter. This tunnel will significantly improve lives by ensuring easier access to essential services and boosting economic activity,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the remaining construction work, including internal infrastructure, safety systems, and finishing works, would be completed at the earliest so that the tunnel can be opened for public use without delay.
The Zojila Tunnel is regarded as one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the Himalayas, designed to improve strategic connectivity and regional development while overcoming extreme weather conditions, difficult terrain, and engineering challenges.Once operational, the tunnel is expected to boost tourism, strengthen trade links, improve military logistics, and enhance socio-economic integration between Kashmir and Ladakh.
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