Breakthrough at Zojila, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Zojila Tunnel, a 13.153-km strategic project, achieved a breakthrough on Tuesday at Meenamarg, Ladakh.
• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari performed the final blasting.
• The tunnel will provide all-weather road connectivity between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh on National Highway-01 (NH-01).
• Situated at 11,578 feet, it is set to be the world's longest bi-directional single-tube road tunnel at such an altitude.
• The project aims to reduce travel time from over 2 hours to 15 minutes and is expected to be ready for military use by December 2026.

Zojila Tunnel.png

Detailed Insights:

• The Zojila Tunnel is the centerpiece of the larger 30,894-km Zojila project, which includes associated roads, bridges, and tunnels.
• The breakthrough occurred six months ahead of schedule, highlighting efficient project execution by NHIDCL.
• This infrastructure development holds immense strategic importance for defence forces and significantly boosts tourism and socio-economic opportunities in the region.
• Historically, the Zojila Pass remained cut off for approximately six months each winter due to heavy snowfall and extreme temperatures, isolating Ladakh.
• The total cost for the Zojila Tunnel and the connecting road from the Z-Morh tunnel is approximately Rs 7,000 crore.
• Despite the breakthrough, the project's overall physical progress stands at 68.55%, with final lining and emergency infrastructure still pending.
• The official target for opening the tunnel to civilian traffic is February 2028, though efforts are underway to advance this timeline.

Key Concepts Involved:

• All-weather connectivity: Ensuring year-round access to a region, crucial for strategic locations and economic development.
• Bi-directional single-tube road tunnel: A tunnel design allowing two-way traffic flow within a single bore.
• National Highway-01 (NH-01): A major national highway connecting various regions, including parts of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Strategic importance: The significance of a geographical location or infrastructure for national security, defence, and geopolitical considerations.