Minimarg (Drass), June 9: The strategically important Zojila Tunnel project achieved a major engineering milestone on Tuesday as both ends of the tunnel were successfully connected, bringing the all-weather road link between Kashmir and Ladakh a step closer to completion.
The breakthrough ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the eastern portal near Minimarg in Ladakh.
The breakthrough was initiated by Gadkari through a remote-triggered blasting mechanism, marking the successful connection of the tunnel’s two ends. The project, being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, is expected to provide year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, regions that are often cut off from each other during winter due to heavy snowfall at Zojila Pass.
Once operational, the 13.153-km-long tunnel is expected to reduce travel time across Zojila Pass from nearly 90 minutes to around 15 minutes. Built at an altitude of about 11,578 feet above sea level, the horseshoe-shaped, single-tube, two-lane tunnel is regarded as one of India’s most significant strategic infrastructure projects.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the tunnel as a transformative project that would improve access to education, healthcare, tourism, trade and markets.
“The closure of the Zojila axis during winters causes immense hardship. This tunnel will bring improvements in people’s lives that may be difficult to fully measure today,” he said.
While welcoming the breakthrough as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the region, Omar urged the authorities to expedite the remaining work so that the project becomes operational at the earliest.
The Chief Minister also raised another long-pending demand of Kargil residents, urging Gadkari to support regular air connectivity to the region.
“We made serious efforts but could not succeed. I request Gadkari Sahib to help realise this demand of the people of Kargil,” Omar said, expressing hope that improved air links would further accelerate development in the remote region.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha termed the breakthrough a “historic milestone” and said the project would strengthen connectivity, boost economic activity and enhance national security in the sensitive border region.
Congratulating engineers, workers and officials associated with the project, Sinha said improved road, rail and air connectivity over the past decade had played a vital role in the development of previously neglected border areas.
He said the tunnel would provide a major boost to tourism, trade and business activity while ensuring seamless movement throughout the year. The LG also noted that improved connectivity would benefit pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3.
Sinha thanked Gadkari and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for advancing major infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and expressed hope that the tunnel would be completed and dedicated to the people at the earliest.
Among those present at the event were Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Member of Parliament from Ladakh Mohd Haneefa Jan, besides senior civil, military and project officials.
https://shorturl.fm/WJwMj