Pass Becomes Passage

Drass, Jun 9: The Zojila Tunnel on Tuesday achieved a significant milestone with the final breakthrough, bringing the decades-old dream of all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh closer to reality.
Union Road, Transport, and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari triggered the final blast marking the breakthrough of the main Zojila Tunnel at Minimarg near Drass in Ladakh, describing it as a historic moment for ensuring all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
Gadkari pressed the remote detonator at the east portal near Minamarg, Drass, in the presence of Lt Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“This tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh, ending Ladakh’s winter isolation. It will boost strategic mobility, tourism, and local economy,” Gadkari said after the ceremony.
He congratulated all those associated with the successful breakthrough.

ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES, WORLD-CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE
Gadkari said that the tunnel would be equipped with modern ventilation systems, automatic fire detection systems, advanced CCTV surveillance, and cross-passage facilities for pedestrians to ensure safe and efficient travel.
To address snow loads and geological challenges, the project includes eight cut-and-cover sections, four bridges, 40 culverts, snow galleries, catch dams, avalanche-protection structures, approach roads, and state-of-the-art safety arrangements.

TRANSFORMING CONNECTIVITY, TOURISM, STRATEGIC MOBILITY
Gadkari said that the Zojila Tunnel is much more than a transportation project and would serve as a gateway to development for the region.
Upon completion, travel time between Sonamarg and Minamarg would be reduced from nearly 2 hours to about 30 minutes, resulting in significant time and fuel savings.

The project will also reduce the risk of accidents and disruptions caused by avalanches and adverse weather conditions.
The tunnel is expected to boost tourism, facilitate trade, improve access to remote areas, and strengthen connectivity to border regions.
From a national security perspective, year-round connectivity would enable faster and more efficient movement of the Indian Army, equipment, supplies, and logistics, strengthening strategic preparedness.

The project will also generate employment opportunities, promote economic growth, and improve the quality of life of local communities through enhanced connectivity and regional integration.
Gadkari said this tunnel would provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh, and boost strategic mobility, tourism, and the local economy.
The Zojila Tunnel is among the country’s most strategically significant road projects.
Gadkari praised engineers, workers, and agencies involved in the project, noting construction was carried out at an altitude of around 3000 metres in sub-zero temperatures, with nearly 80 percent of the workforce comprising local labour.
He said the project, prioritised after 2014, was executed successfully after multiple failed tender attempts earlier, and at a significantly lower cost than originally estimated.

Highlighting its impact, Gadkari said the tunnel would boost tourism, trade, economic activity, and strategic mobility in the border region by ensuring seamless connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Union Minister also announced a series of new infrastructure projects for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
He said that road and tunnel projects worth about Rs 18,000 crore were under implementation between Kargil and Leh in Ladakh.
Among the important initiatives is the Kargil-Zanskar-Padum Highway project, which is improving access to the Zanskar region while strengthening strategic connectivity and facilitating Army movement.

To improve traffic management in Leh, South and North Bypass projects are being developed to provide seamless movement for vehicles travelling towards Srinagar, Manali, and Khardung La without entering the city.
Gadkari also highlighted the proposed Fatu-La Twin-Tube Tunnel and Kela Pass Tunnel, which will improve all-weather connectivity and enhance access to key tourism destinations, including Pangong Lake.

DIRECT ALL-WEATHER CONNECTIVITY ON THE MANALI-LEH AXIS
The minister said that tunnel projects were being planned at Baralacha La, Lachulung La, and Tanglang La along the Manali-Leh route.
These projects will substantially improve travel reliability, reduce journey time, and strengthen year-round connectivity to Ladakh.

HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT WORTH RS 1.35 LAKH CRORE UNDERWAY IN J&K
Following the breakthrough, Gadkari highlighted the government’s broader efforts to transform road infrastructure across J&K and Ladakh.
He said that highway projects worth approximately Rs 1.35 lakh crore, comprising completed, ongoing and upcoming works, are being implemented across J&K to strengthen connectivity, improve logistics efficiency, and accelerate socio-economic development.

HIGH-SPEED CORRIDORS TRANSFORMING J&K
Gadkari said that four major high-speed corridors were under development to strengthen connectivity across J&K.
“The Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar corridor is nearing completion and would significantly reduce travel time through upgraded highway infrastructure and tunnel networks.  The Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag corridor would improve connectivity between the Chenab Valley districts and Kashmir, while the Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri corridor will strengthen connectivity in north Kashmir and facilitate smoother movement of people and goods. The Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch corridor is also progressing rapidly and is expected to improve connectivity in border districts while providing substantial travel-time savings,” he said.

STRATEGIC AND BORDER CONNECTIVITY INITIATIVES
The minister highlighted several upcoming projects of strategic importance, including the Katra-Srinagar High-Speed Corridor, the Rafiabad-Kupwara-Chowkibal-Tangdhar road project and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri corridor.
These projects will improve access to border areas, facilitate tourism, support horticulture activities, and strengthen strategic infrastructure.
A new corridor connecting Surankote, Bufliaz, Supen, Doodhpathri, and Magam is also under planning to enhance connectivity between the PirPanjal region and Kashmir.

RING ROADS TO IMPROVE URBAN MOBILITY
Gadkari said that the Srinagar Ring Road project was being implemented in multiple phases to decongest the city and facilitate seamless movement towards Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Gurez, Kargil, and Leh.
“Connectivity to Srinagar Airport and the railway station is also being strengthened through dedicated spur links. Similarly, the Jammu Ring Road project is being developed to reduce urban congestion and improve traffic circulation around the city. The proposed eastern section will further strengthen regional connectivity and provide a shorter route towards Katra,” he said.

DELHI-AMRITSAR-KATRA EXPRESSWAY TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL LINKAGES
The minister said that the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Greenfield Expressway would provide faster and more efficient connectivity between Delhi and Katra while strengthening economic linkages across northern India and improving access to J&K through a modern access-controlled corridor.

TUNNEL INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVING A CONNECTIVITY REVOLUTION
Highlighting the government’s focus on tunnel infrastructure in the Himalayan region, Gadkari said that tunnel construction has become a key component of highway development to ensure all-weather connectivity, improve road safety and enhance strategic mobility.
He emphasised that these infrastructure initiatives were not merely transportation projects but instruments of economic growth, tourism development, employment generation, regional integration and national security.
Gadkari said that the successful breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel symbolises the emergence of a new India that transforms geographical challenges into opportunities for development, prosperity and national progress.

He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to expanding infrastructure in the Himalayan region and ensuring year-round access to remote border areas.
Member of Parliament Ladakh Muhammad Haneefa, Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC Kargil, Muhammad Jaffar, former MP ThupstanChewang, former CEC Leh Tashi Gyalson , Chief  Secretary Ladakh Ashish  Kundra, DGP Ladakh Kaushal Sharma and officials of NHIDCL, BRO, and engineers of Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd were also present on the occasion.