As the Zoji-La tunnel has achieved a significant milestone with the final breakthrough, it has brought the decades-old dream of all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh closer to reality.
Located at an elevation of 11,578 feet, the Zoji-la tunnel provides year round passage and all weather connectivity across a challenging mountain pass. Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.6800, it reduces the travel time from Ganderbal (in Jammu and Kashmir) to Kargil from around three hours to slightly upwards of 20 minutes.
During harsh winters, this route is closed due to fears of avalanches, landslides and slippery roads, with areas beyond the pass cut off from the rest of the country for at least five months. With the Zojila pass shut, air connectivity is the only option, and airfares can skyrocket to over Rs 40,000 during peak winter months.
The upcoming Zojila tunnel will provide perennial connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of the country. This will not just benefit civilians living and employed in the region, but also the military, by expediting movement of troops and supplies in this vitally important strategic region.The tunnel breakthrough is infact seen quite significant as it not just reduces the time and travel between two UTs but more importantly it also helps fortifying borders, especially with China in parts of Ladakh.
As part of an ongoing project to improve connectivity in the region, 19 tunnels are being constructed at a cost of Rs 25,000 crore. The tunnel is expected to become operational in 2028. The Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel, and is expected to be Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, boasting a length of 14.15 km.
A connecting tunnel from Z-Morh on NH1 to the Zojila tunnel will be built in the Zojila Ghats between Sonmarg and Kargil. This involves the development and expansion of the 18.475-km highway between Z-Morh to Zojila. A 3-km stretch will be expanded; the rest will be newly developed. The highway will have two twin-tube tunnels, five bridges, and two snow galleries.
The work on the entire 33-km span is spread between two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir; and Ladakh. The breakthrough connected both ends of the 13.15-kilometre main tunnel being constructed on National Highway-1 between Baltal in Kashmir and Minamarg in Drass in the Kargil district of Ladakh. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by February 2028. Once operational, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time across the Zojila pass from more than three hours to around 15 minutes while bypassing snow-bound and accident-prone stretches of the highway.
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday triggered the final blast marking the breakthrough of the main Zojila tunnel at Minimarg in Ladakh, describing it as a historic moment for ensuring all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were also present on the occasion.
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