Gadkari to witness key milestone as strategic tunnel project moves closer to all-weather Srinagar-Ladakh connectivity
Srinagar, June 9: The strategically important Zojila Tunnel project is set to witness a major breakthrough on Tuesday with the completion of more than 13 kilometres of excavation work, marking a significant milestone in the ambitious all-weather connectivity project between Srinagar and Ladakh.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to attend the breakthrough ceremony and witness the breakthrough blast at the tunnel site, officials said.
Constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 6,500 crore, the Zojila Tunnel is regarded as one of Asia’s longest bi-directional road tunnel projects and is aimed at providing seamless year-round road connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh through the strategically crucial Zojila Pass.
The Zojila Pass, located on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, remains closed for several months every year due to heavy snowfall and harsh weather conditions, severely affecting civilian movement, transportation of essential supplies, tourism activities and connectivity with Ladakh.
Officials associated with the project said the tunnel is expected to transform travel and logistics in the region by ensuring uninterrupted road access throughout the year.
The project is also considered strategically significant for the movement of defence personnel, equipment and supplies to border areas in Ladakh, particularly during winter months when surface connectivity through the pass becomes difficult.
Once completed, the tunnel is expected to substantially reduce travel time between Srinagar and Ladakh and provide a major boost to tourism, trade, infrastructure growth and economic activities in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The tunnel project is being executed using advanced engineering and tunnelling technologies in one of the country’s most challenging Himalayan terrains.
Officials said the breakthrough marks a major engineering achievement and reflects rapid progress in the execution of one of India’s most significant road infrastructure projects in the Himalayan region.
The Centre has been focusing on strengthening road and tunnel infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to improve connectivity, enhance regional development and ensure reliable transportation links in high-altitude areas.
The Zojila Tunnel project is expected to play a crucial role in realising the vision of seamless all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh while improving socio-economic integration and strategic accessibility in the region.
