Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 14: The strategically significant Zojila Tunnel along the Srinagar-Leh highway is nearing a major milestone, with excavation work expected to achieve a “breakthrough” by the end of May, officials associated with the project said.
Once completed, the over 13-kilometre tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, ensuring round-the-year access across the treacherous Zojila Pass.
Project developers said only around 300 metres of excavation remains, with work progressing steadily.
“Of the total 13,155 metres length of the Zojila Tunnel, only about 300 metres of excavation remains to be completed, bringing the project to the verge of a major breakthrough milestone. We expect the breakthrough by the end of May or in the first week of June,” Joint Chief Operating Officer, Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited, Harpal Singh said.
He said the breakthrough will be marked symbolically when teams working from both ends-Baltal in Kashmir and Minamarg in the Drass sector-meet inside the tunnel.
“After the breakthrough, people from Baltal and Minamarg sides will shake hands inside the tunnel. That will be a historic moment and will make further works easier,” Singh said.
Being constructed in one of the world’s most challenging terrains, the tunnel is set to become India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. It is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Sonamarg and Drass from nearly three hours to about 15 minutes.
Officials said that while the excavation breakthrough is expected by mid-2026, the overall project completion target remains February 2028.
The Zojila Tunnel holds immense strategic and economic significance. It will ensure seamless connectivity to Ladakh, a region that remains cut off for several months each year due to heavy snowfall. Improved access is also expected to boost tourism, trade, and defence logistics.
At present, traffic along the Zojila axis remains highly weather-dependent, with heavy snowfall and frequent landslides often leading to prolonged closures during winter months.
Last month, seven people were killed after a snow avalanche struck the Zojila Pass, burying several vehicles under snow and debris, while five others sustained injuries. |