'All-Weather Connectivity Between Kashmir To Kanniyakumari': Gadkari Reviews Zojila Tunnel Work

The Zojila tunnel, Asia's longest at 13 kilometers and costing 4,900 crores, is expected to be completed by 2026.

Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday audited the continuous work for the strategically important Zojila tunnel in Kashmir's Sonmarg that will give all-climate availability to Ladakh. He said that the tunnel is historic and that the project is part of a dream to connect Kanyakumari and the Kashmir valley. The Zojila tunnel, Asia's longest at 13 kilometers and costing 4,900 crores, is expected to be completed by 2026.

The Union Territory's civilian and military populations suffer greatly when the Srinagar-Ladakh highway is closed during the winter. 

The Zojila tunnel will revolutionize the region, which has been witnessing a prolonged standoff between the Chinese military and the army since June 2020.

The Union minister also announced that the Z-Morh tunnel, which interfaces Gagangir with Sonamarg and gives all-climate availability to the retreat in the Ganderbal region of focal Kashmir, will be inaugurated in October this year.

"This is a historic and important tunnel in the history of India. The tunnel length is supposed to be the highest in Asia," Gadkari told reporters after inspecting the work on the site at an altitude of over 11,500 feet.

"In the next 3-4 years, the roads of Jammu and Kashmir will be made equivalent to American roads," the minister said as quoted by ANI.

A 13-member delegation of the Parliamentary consultative committee on the ministry was led by the Union minister.

Know About The Project

The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway is closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall, separating the Ladakh region from Kashmir, so the tunnel project through the formidable Zojila Pass at 11,578 feet is crucial.

From Baltal, in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, to Minimarg, in the Drass town of the Kargil district of Ladakh, the single-tube Zojila tunnel has an 18-kilometer approach road.

Gadkari stated that the project's estimated cost was Rs 12,000 crore, but its cost was reduced by Rs 5,000 crore after a year of discussions with experts and international consultants.

"This is the first time in the history of our country that we have a saving of Rs 5,000 crore as far as the estimated cost is concerned. This is a very difficult task, the people are working here in minus 26 degrees," he said.

He stated that this will be a cutting-edge project that will benefit us greatly with the assistance of J-K LG Manoj Sinha and his administration.

Gadkari said that the Zojila tunnel is one of the most important aspects of "our dream to connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari" when he laid out a plan for connecting various cities across the country. He added that this will provide connectivity from the north to the south.

He also praised contractors and engineers, stating that it is extremely challenging to work here.

The union minister said around 38% of the work has been finished, and a part of the project will be initiated for this present year for giving help to individuals.

He stated, "With the permission of the prime minister, the LG, we want to try to inaugurate a part of the project because that will give relief to the people."

The project, which is being constructed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. and is headed by Harpal Singh, is 31 kilometers long from Sonamarg to Minimarg. It is 18 kilometers from Sonamarg to Baltal, and the main tunnel from Baltal to Minimarg is 13 kilometers long. The work on both projects is moving quickly.

When completed, the project, according to Gadkari, will help the region's tourism industry.

He stated, "the tourism in Kashmir will increase by three to four times, and tourism is a sector that creates maximum employment opportunities."

He stated, "I have requested LG and JK government to plan resorts, and adventure sports, and just like Switzerland, we can develop a lot of things here."

Project To Boost Tourism

"People are already coming here, Baba Amarnath road is here, so we can increase the tourism potential here, which will create more employment potential for the people of J-K. It will eradicate the poverty in Ladakh and J-K," the minister said.

He claimed that during the Kargil War, former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee envisioned a good road connecting Srinagar and Ladakh.

"This is under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi that we have started this and we are hopeful that we will get this tunnel (completed) as early as possible," he said.

"So, this is the area we are going to develop and there will be no migration of the people and the most important thing is this will be the world attraction just like Switzerland and people from India and abroad will come here for tourism and it is going to increase the employment potential in this area which will be a great thing," he added.

Why This Project Is Significant For Defence Forces?

Gadkari said that he would not comment on the project's significance from a defense standpoint, but that the project is very important because the country fought the previous war in Kargil, for which the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity.

The minister responded to a question regarding the development of airstrips near the borders of the country by stating that the government is working on 29 road-to-airstrip projects, nine of which have been completed.

"Somewhere, we need permission from the airforce, it is in the process. At the time of emergency, we can use those," he said.

Requested once the breakthrough of the tunnel is achieved, would the military be permitted to go on the unpleasant passage assuming need be, Gadkari said whatever has to be done at the time of emergency, it will be finished around then.

"In times of emergency and in the interest of the country, a result is achieved with positivity. There has not been a such need, and there is no possibility of such need, but, if there arises a need, then we will surely do what our defence forces say," the union minister said.

After that, the minister went over the progress being made on the Z-Morh tunnel and announced that it would be opened in October of this year. Gadkari stated, "We will inaugurate Z-Morh tunnel in October. This will help the people a great deal and also help increase tourism, and employment opportunities."

JK LG Manoj Sinha requested the union minister to provide more employment opportunities for local youth in the project during the event. Sinha was reassured by the minister that the contractor had been instructed to provide the youth of the area with as many employment opportunities as possible.