Zojila Tunnel Breakthrough Achieved, Enhancing Connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir
Zojila tunnel hits breakthrough stage, Nitin Gadkari highlights strategic importance
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation has achieved a significant breakthrough in the Zojila Tunnel project, enhancing all-weather connectivity between Sonamarg in Jammu & Kashmir and Minamarg in Ladakh. The 14-km tunnel is expected to be completed by February 2028 at a cost of ₹7,000 crore.
- 01The Zojila Tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity, reducing travel time from 1.5 hours to 45 minutes between Sonamarg and Minamarg.
- 02Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the tunnel's strategic importance for Ladakh, highlighting the challenging working conditions faced by the construction team.
- 03The Zojila Tunnel is part of a larger 33-km project, which includes the Z-Morh tunnel, with a total investment of around ₹7,000 crore.
- 04Currently, there are 25 approved road tunnels between Jammu and Srinagar, with 20 completed and five ongoing projects.
- 05In the last 11 years, 54 tunnels have been constructed across India at a cost of ₹20,000 crore, with 128 tunnels under construction worth ₹1.12 lakh crore.
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The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has marked a significant milestone with the breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel on the Sonmarg-Kargil section of National Highway-01 in Jammu & Kashmir. This 14-km tunnel, expected to be completed by February 2028, will enhance all-weather connectivity between Sonamarg and Minamarg, which previously experienced closures for up to six months due to heavy snowfall. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the tunnel's strategic importance for Ladakh, noting that it will significantly reduce travel time from 1.5 hours to just 45 minutes. The project, part of a larger 33-km initiative with a total cost of approximately ₹7,000 crore, is expected to boost connectivity in the region. Gadkari praised the efforts of the workers and engineers who faced extreme conditions during construction. In addition to the Zojila Tunnel, several other key tunnels are in various stages of development in Jammu & Kashmir, reflecting the government's commitment to improving infrastructure in challenging terrains.
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The Zojila Tunnel will significantly improve connectivity in the region, facilitating travel and trade between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
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