Zojila tunnel project achieves breakthrough in excavation work

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari witnessed the breakthrough blasting of the main tunnel at the eastern portal of the Zojila Tunnel Project at Minamarg in Kargil district in Union Territory of Ladakh.

• The breakthrough blasting of the main tunnel was conducted at an equidistant of 6.5 km, providing access to East Portal (east side) to West Portal (west side).

• Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were also present on the occasion.

Highlights of the project:

• Being constructed between Baltal and Minamarg on National Highway-1, the nearly 14-km-long bi-directional Zojila tunnel is one of India’s most ambitious mountain infrastructure projects.

• It is being developed at a cost of approximately Rs 6,800 crore. 

• Zojila is a significant high mountain pass in the Kargil district of Ladakh, serving as a crucial link between Leh and Srinagar. 

• Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the 434-km Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway.

• The project consists of construction of a tunnel of 13.153 km and approach roads to tunnel of length 17.030 km, totaling a total length of 30.18 km. 

• Known as the “Mountain Pass of Blizzards”, it experiences heavy snowfall during winter, which often leads to its closure and cuts off the Ladakh region from Kashmir.

• The tunnel, 9.5 metre wide, 7.57 metre high and 13.153 km long, is a horseshoe-shaped single-tube, a two-lane road tunnel.

• The Zojila Tunnel Project, launched in 2018, aims to address this issue by constructing Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. 

• This tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil, and Leh, enhancing strategic mobility and regional connectivity.

• Once completed, the tunnel would reduce the travel time from three hours to 15 minutes with avalanche-free travel on the Srinagar-Leh section of NH1.

• It will also benefit Army’s defence operations in the strategic region.

• The project will also reduce accident risks and disruptions caused by avalanches and adverse weather conditions.

• The tunnel is expected to boost tourism, facilitate trade, improve access to remote areas and strengthen connectivity to border regions. 

• Besides being the longest tunnel project in Asia, Zojila is also among the world’s highest tunnel projects.

• The project represents a significant engineering accomplishment in one of the world’s most challenging terrains.