Work begins on Zozila Tunnel, the longest tunnel road in Asia, connecting Srinagar and Leh

Work on the 14.15 km-long Zojila Tunnel, that would ensure an all-weather link between Srinagar and Ladakh through Dras and Kargil on the National Highway 1, began on Thursday, officials said.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari initiated the ceremonial blasting for Zozila Tunnel through video conferencing. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh. According to an official release, the construction of the tunnel at an altitude of about 3000 m under Zojila pass presently motorable only for six months in a year will bring an all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, he said

The geostrategically sensitive project was conceived in 2005 and its Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared by BRO in 2013 on BOT (Annuity) mode. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the project in Leh in May 2018.

Gadkari said about Rs 4,000 crore was saved with the re-designing of this tunnel. “With honest efforts, we can take our country forward at lower costs,” the minister said and expressed confidence that the project will be completed before end of present government’s tenure with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating it.

Gadkari assured formation of committees under the Liutenant Governor Leh and the L-G Jammu and Kashmir with respective chief secretaries and officers of MoRTH, NHIDCL, etc to oversee tunnel works and to sort out local issues.

A tunnel in Zozila is the only viable alternative at present for a full year connectivity road. It will also be of great importance to the defence of the country, because massive military activities along our borders in Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan regions are taking place, the official release stated.

Zozila Tunnel project shall bring to fruition 30 years of overwhelming public demand of Kargil, Drass and Ladakh region and make travel on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 free from avalanches, it said.

Completion of the project would enhance the safety of the travellers crossing Zozila Pass and would reduce the Travel time from more than three hours to 15 minutes. The project would also generate employment for the locals.

Safety features of the tunnel include emergency lay-bys located at intervals of 750 m staggered on both sides of the carriageway. Emergency call niches and hydrant niches are situated at intervals of 125 metres.

The tunnel lighting system represents the most significant part of the tunnel traffic safety and shall cover entrance lighting in the accommodation sections at both ends of the tunnel, interior lighting through the whole tunnel and lay-by lighting. It will also have a video surveillance system.