Minamarg (Jammu & Kashmir): The ambitious Zojila Tunnel project, regarded as Asia’s longest road tunnel under construction, is set to mark a significant engineering achievement as more than 13 kilometres of excavation work reaches completion. The breakthrough represents a major step toward establishing uninterrupted road connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh throughout the year.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is expected to witness the landmark breakthrough blast, symbolising the successful meeting of a crucial phase in the tunnel’s construction.
Built at an estimated cost of ₹6,500 crore, the project aims to overcome the longstanding challenge of seasonal closures at the Zojila Pass, where heavy snowfall often disrupts transport and isolates Ladakh for months. Once operational, the tunnel will provide a dependable route for civilians, tourists and defence forces irrespective of weather conditions.
The infrastructure project is also expected to transform the region’s economy by improving access to markets, promoting tourism and reducing travel time across one of the country’s most strategically important corridors.
Engineers and officials associated with the project describe the latest breakthrough as a testament to advanced tunnelling technology and the efforts of workers who have operated under demanding Himalayan conditions.
Upon completion, the Zojila Tunnel is expected to become one of India’s most significant strategic infrastructure assets, strengthening connectivity while contributing to the socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
