13-km Zojila Tunnel Linked End-to-End, Set To Cut Ladakh Travel To 15 Minutes By 2028

A major milestone was achieved on Tuesday in one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects as engineers successfully connected both ends of the Zojila Tunnel beneath the Zojila Pass. The breakthrough blast at the eastern portal near Minimarg in Ladakh marked the completion of mountain excavation for the 13-kilometre tunnel, paving the way for all-weather road connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.

The event was attended by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. While the tunnel excavation is now complete, significant work involving ventilation systems, electrical installations and safety infrastructure remains before it becomes operational.

Engineering Marvel Beneath the Himalayas

The Zojila Tunnel is being built under the strategically crucial Srinagar-Leh National Highway. Designed as a horseshoe-shaped, two-lane tunnel, it stretches 13.1 kilometres beneath the Zojila Pass at an altitude of approximately 11,578 feet. The tunnel measures 9.5 metres in width and 7.5 metres in height.

Its western entrance is located at Baltal near Sonmarg in Kashmir, while the eastern portal opens at Minimarg in Ladakh's Drass region. Together with approach roads and bridges, the entire project spans around 31 kilometres.

The project is being executed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), which has used the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a technique particularly suited to tunnelling through the geologically challenging Himalayan terrain.

Highlighting the importance of the project, Gadkari said, "This tunnel is state-of-art. This tunnel has been constructed with world class safety standard, and it will provide all weather connectivity to Ladakh. I visited Ladakh when I was BJP president and people told me that everything remains closed for six months and there's connectivity. It pained me to see how the locals here are facing so many difficulties."

Lifeline for Residents During Harsh Winters

Every winter, heavy snowfall shuts down the Zojila Pass, cutting off Ladakh from the Kashmir Valley for months. The Manali-Leh highway, the only alternate road route, also becomes inaccessible during severe weather. With no regular air services to Kargil, residents often face difficulties accessing healthcare, education, trade and essential supplies.

Once operational, the tunnel is expected to transform mobility in the region. Travel across the pass, which currently takes between one and one-and-a-half hours under favourable conditions, will be reduced to just 15 minutes. More importantly, the route will remain accessible throughout the year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Abdullah said, "For decades, people of the region faced immense hardships due to the closure of the Zojila Pass in winter. The tunnel would significantly improve the lives of residents by facilitating easier access to education, healthcare, tourism, trade and commerce."

Strategic Importance for National Security

Beyond its civilian benefits, the tunnel holds immense strategic value. The Srinagar-Leh highway serves as India's principal military supply route to Ladakh, making uninterrupted access crucial for national security.

The significance of the route was underscored during the 1999 Kargil War, when Pakistani forces targeted positions overlooking the highway in an attempt to disrupt Indian military logistics. The tunnel is expected to strengthen military mobility and ensure reliable supply lines regardless of weather conditions.

Cost Savings, Delays and Opening Timeline

According to Gadkari, the project received special emphasis after the Narendra Modi government assumed office in 2014.

"Our government came to power in 2014 under the leadership of PM Modi and he gave the highest priority to infrastructure development. I was handed over the responsibility of this department and then this project was initiated. The original tender of this project was ₹12,000 crore and I am happy to announce that all the work related to this project has been completed in ₹7,000 crore and we have saved at least ₹5,000 crore," the Union minister said.

He further added, "This is not just a tunnel but a lifeline."

Although the project was initially targeted for completion by September 2026, it encountered delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, extreme weather conditions and a terrorist attack on the Sonmarg Tunnel Project in 2024. Despite those setbacks, officials from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) said the latest breakthrough has been achieved six months ahead of the revised schedule.

The tunnel is expected to open to the public in February 2028 after the completion of civil works, electrical systems and safety installations.

The Zojila Tunnel forms a crucial part of a larger all-weather road corridor linking Srinagar and Leh. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel at Sonmarg, which serves as a key preceding link in the route.

During the event, Abdullah also renewed his demand for regular air connectivity to Kargil, urging the Centre to facilitate scheduled flights to the region.

"Another dream needs to be realised, that is, regular and direct air service to Kargil. I had tried but without any success. This is another long-standing demand of the people of Kargil," Abdullah said.

Once completed, the Zojila Tunnel is expected to significantly reduce Ladakh's seasonal isolation, improving both civilian life and strategic mobility in one of India's most challenging terrains.