Zojila Tunnel

The work on the strategic Zojila tunnel an all-weather connection between the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region -- is going on at a rapid pace and over 40 per cent of the drilling has been completed, the construction company said on Sunday. The company said it is hopeful of completing the project by December 2026. The tunnel project through the mighty Zojila Pass at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National highway is of strategic importance as the highway remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall, cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir. The single-tube Zojila tunnel from Baltal, in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, to Minimarg, in Drass town of Kargil district of Ladakh, is 13 km long with an approach road of 18 km. "This project is a huge game changer by the government of India. The total length of the project from Sonamarg to Minimarg is 31 km. From Sonamarg to Baltal, it is 18 km, and then the main tunnel from Baltal to Minimarg wh

The Indian Army rescued and evacuated 172 workers stranded in an avalanche at the Zojila Tunnel construction site on Saturday.According to an Army statement, in a major avalanche near Sarbal Nilagrar, workers of the construction company got stuck.The rescue teams of the Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police swung into action and after hours of gruelling effort finally all 172 workers were brought to safety.This incident happened on January 12 in which three workers lost their lives, said Army.The Army pressed into effect avalanche rescue equipment and rescue dogs.A low-intensity avalanche struck the Sarbal area in the Ganderbal district of Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday."A low-intensity avalanche hit Sarbal area where the Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) workshop was being held," officials said.As reported by company officials everyone is safe. No loss of life or property is reported, they said, while adding that police and SDRF teams have been ...

The pass normally closes by end-November every year, with the onset of winter, when the temperatures dips to sub-zero degrees and opens only by mid April the next year

Infrastructure major Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) on Sunday said it has completed 5-km-long tunnelling work as part of the 18-km-long all-weather Zojila Tunnel in a record time of 14 months. The company in a statement said the project of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), being executed by the MEIL, is envisaged to ensure connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh throughout the year without any interruptions. The Zojilla Tunnel -- Nilgrar 1, 2 & Zojila main tunnel - is being expeditiously executed, despite unfavourable weather conditions like snowfall, and blizzard at a high altitude of 3,528 metres above mean sea level, MEIL said. The statement noted that Zojila project, Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel, is a challenging development project in India for strategic reasons too. It added that the current winter witnessed the highest-ever snowfall in the history of Jammu and Kashmir with temperatures dropping ..

Some modifications in the Zojila tunnel portion of the projects are likely with govt looking to add an evacuation tunnel

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday virtually initiated the first blasting for Zojila Tunnel project on NH-1 in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir

Work on the much awaited Zojila tunnel will finally commence on Thursday after Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari initiates the first blasting at the 14.15 km long structure

Once up and ready, the 14.15 km stretch will be will be the longest bi-directional road tunnel in Asia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2018 laid the foundation stone for the project, billed as the Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel

The tunnel to pass via Shingo La in Himachal, reduce travel time by 15-20%

The Zojila project will be constructed in two sections totaling 33 km. The first will be 18.5 km long, the second will be constructed in the shape of a horseshoe of 14.15 km

Govt prepares for 6th bidding, considers starting it as an unidirectional tunnel

Stalled for six years, tunnel is strategic as Zojila Pass is at altitude of 11,578 ft on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway and remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall, cutting off Ladakh from Kashmir

Zojila was conceptualised in 2013 as a BOT project that had strategic importance because of its proximity to both Pakistan and China.

14.2 km Length of the bi-directional single tube tunnel, which will be India's longest

The government said the construction of this tunnel will provide much relief to the people in the region

The 14.15-km tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and bring about all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions

The Project aims at the construction of 14.15 km long two-lane bi-directional single tube tunnel

It aims at providing much-needed all-weather connectivity between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh