Zojila tunnel construction: Megha Engineering gets major breakthrough, completes excavation work for Tunnel 1
In a major breakthrough, excavation of 472 metres of tunnel-1 of Zojila tunnel project has been completed.
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Srinagar, November 23: In a major breakthrough, excavation of 472 metres of tunnel-1 of Zojila project has been completed. A dedicated team deployed to execute the task in a difficult region, has achieved the breakthrough in the all-weather Zojila Tunnel construction in Jammu Kashmir-Ladakh.
Daylight was seen in the tube-2 of Tunnel-1 on Monday. It was a challenging task, and was completed before schedule, said a senior official involved in the project.
Considered one of India’s most strategically critical project, Zojila is a 14.15km long tunnel located at an altitude of about 3,000 metres, situated under the Zojila Pass.
The tunnel will be vital to India’s defence, as military activities increase at borders in the Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan regions. The project will allow India year-round access to Ladakh. The tunnel will connect Srinagar and Leh through Dras and Kargil.
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The total length of the project is 32.78 kilometres, and is divided into two parts.
Part I of the project comprises of an 18 Km approach road that connects Sonamarg and Taltal, having major bridges and twin tunnels. It begins at Sitkari village (Sonamarg) and ends at Western Portal of Zojila Tunnel near Baltal Camp. It will provide all-weather connectivity from Srinagar to Kargil- Leh which is strategically very important for national security. The road is expected to be complete by end of 2023. The project is being constructed at the cost of Rs. 6,800 crores.