Drass, June 9: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday triggered the final blast marking the breakthrough of the main Zojila Tunnel, describing it as a “historic moment” for ensuring all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Secretary of Ladakh, DGP Ladakh, senior officials of NHIDCL, BRO and representatives of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd were present on the occasion.
The breakthrough connected both ends of the 13.15-kilometre main tunnel being constructed on National Highway-1 between Baltal in Kashmir and Minamarg in Drass.
Gadkari pressed the remote detonator at the East Portal near Minamarg, marking a major engineering milestone in one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
“This tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh, ending Ladakh’s winter isolation. It will boost strategic mobility, tourism and the local economy,” Gadkari said after the ceremony.
Being constructed at an altitude of 11,578 feet above sea level, the Zojila Tunnel is set to become Asia’s longest bi-directional road tunnel upon completion. The project includes the main tunnel, an escape tunnel, three vertical ventilation shafts and nearly 18 kilometres of approach roads.
The total project cost is estimated at ₹6,809 crore.
Officials said more than 75 per cent of the physical work has been completed. Following the breakthrough, tunnel lining, road pavement and electro-mechanical installations will be expedited. The project is targeted for commissioning by February 2028.
Once operational, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time across the Zojila Pass from more than three hours to around 15 minutes while bypassing snow-bound and accident-prone stretches of the highway.
The project is also expected to ensure year-round movement of defence personnel, essential supplies and tourists between Kashmir and Ladakh.
Local leaders from Kargil and Ganderbal hailed the breakthrough as a landmark achievement and described the tunnel as a “lifeline for Ladakh” that will transform connectivity, economic activity and access to essential services in the region.
