Infrastructure: Zojila Tunnel Breakthrough Achieved, Both Ends Connected in Landmark Connectivity Project

In a major infrastructure milestone, the two ends of the Zojila Tunnel have been successfully connected, marking a significant breakthrough in one of the world’s most challenging high-altitude tunnel projects. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is expected to witness the development on-site as construction teams achieved the breakthrough between the eastern and western portals of the tunnel. The tunnel, located on the Srinagar–Leh National Highway, is designed to ensure all-weather connectivity between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, a region that remains cut off for months during heavy snowfall and avalanches each year. The 13.15-km-long tunnel is being constructed at an altitude considered among the highest in the world, using advanced tunnelling technology including tunnel boring machines and ventilation shafts. Built at an estimated cost of around ₹6,800 crore, the project aims to significantly improve transportation, tourism, and strategic connectivity in the region. Officials stated that approximately 69% of the overall work has been completed, with remaining construction—including road surfacing, ventilation systems, and finishing works—expected to be completed within the next 18 months. The tunnel is likely to be fully operational before 2028, promising year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.