Sonamarg, June 8: The strategically significant Zojila Tunnel Project is set to achieve a historic milestone on Tuesday, June 9, with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari scheduled to attend the breakthrough ceremony of the main tunnel, officials told Daily Roshni on Sunday.
According to officials, Gadkari will visit the project site near Sonamarg and trigger the breakthrough blast, marking the successful meeting of excavation faces from both the Kashmir and Ladakh sides. The development is being viewed as a landmark achievement in one of India’s most ambitious and challenging infrastructure projects.
Being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 6,500 crore, the 13.15-kilometre-long Zojila Tunnel is being constructed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) under the supervision of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
Officials told Daily Roshni that excavation of more than 13 kilometres has already been completed, bringing the project to the verge of its most significant tunnelling milestone. Only a small stretch remains before the two ends of the tunnel meet, paving the way for the next phase of construction.
Located approximately 24 kilometres from Sonamarg and around 103 kilometres from Srinagar, the tunnel is expected to provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, ensuring uninterrupted access to Drass, Kargil and Leh throughout the year.
The project is expected to significantly improve civilian movement, transportation, trade, tourism and logistics while enhancing strategic mobility in the region. Once completed, it will reduce dependence on the Zojila Pass, which remains closed for several months every year due to heavy snowfall, avalanches and adverse weather conditions.
In a statement, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways described the project as one of the most challenging engineering undertakings in the Himalayan region and said the tunnel is set to achieve a historic milestone with the breakthrough blasting scheduled for June 9.
Earlier, Harpal Singh, Joint Chief Operating Officer of MEIL, had stated that excavation work has entered its final phase, with only a few metres remaining before the excavation faces from both ends meet. He said work on the main tunnel has been carried out simultaneously from the Baltal side in Kashmir and the Minamarg side in Ladakh to accelerate construction progress.
Following the breakthrough, project authorities will shift their focus towards internal development works, including concrete lining, installation of advanced ventilation systems, electrical infrastructure, communication facilities and other critical safety mechanisms required for the tunnel’s operation.
The tunnel will also feature a dedicated walkway for maintenance and emergency operations, modern monitoring systems and state-of-the-art safety infrastructure to ensure smooth and secure movement throughout the year.
Awarded by NHIDCL and under construction since October 2020, the project is being executed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a globally recognised engineering technique specifically designed for complex geological and mountainous conditions.
Officials further told Daily Roshni that the project has generated substantial local employment, with more than 1,200 personnel, including nearly 80 percent local workforce, contributing to the construction effort. Despite facing several challenges, including five avalanche incidents over the past five years, work on the tunnel has progressed steadily.
Project authorities noted that a major avalanche in January 2023 led to the successful rescue of 172 workers by the Indian Army. Despite such challenges, the project has achieved nearly 10 million safe man-hours, reflecting the emphasis placed on safety standards during construction.
Officials said the tunnel is expected to transform connectivity between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, boost economic activity and tourism, and address the long-standing challenges posed by weather-related disruptions at the Zojila Pass.
With the breakthrough ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, all eyes are now on Zojila as the country prepares to witness a defining moment in the construction of one of India’s most important strategic and transportation corridors.
