Army mulling over tunnel on Srinagar-Leh highway

Zojila (Leh), May 14: The Army today said a feasibility study was being conducted to determine if a tunnel could be constructed at this highest point on the 434-Srinagar-Leh National Highway to make it an all-weather road.

''A feasibility study is being done to see whether a tunnel could be constructed below at this point (Zojila). A right agency has now been chosen for conducting the study,'' General Officer-in- Commanding (GOC) XV Corps Lt Gen S S Dhillon told reporters here.

He said if the study was successful, the Centre would examine the possibility of constructing a tunnel at Zojila, ''the most difficult point'' on the mountainous highway.

''This is the only way to make the Srinagar-Leh National Highway an all-weather road,'' Gen Dhillon added.

UNI