Nitin Gadkari Shares Glimpses Of Zoji-La Tunnel, Asia’s Longest Tunnel In Jammu & Kashmir

by Vaishalee Kalvankar
Nitin Gadkari Shares Glimpses Of Zoji-La Tunnel, Asia’s Longest Tunnel In Jammu & Kashmir

Asia’s longest tunnel, the Zoji-La Tunnel, in Jammu and Kashmir, is under construction. The 13-km-long strategic tunnel is under construction and is progressing at a fast pace. The tunnel is located in central Kashmir’s Sonmarg area. Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, shared glimpses of this tunnel as current Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, visited the site. 

Nitin Gadkari Shares Pictures Of Zoji-La Tunnel

The construction of Asia’s longest tunnel, the Zoji-La tunnel, is being carried out at a very fast pace in order to meet the deadline. The tunnel is expected to be thrown open next year for the armed forces. 

Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, visited the construction site along with the current Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, and reviewed the work. The two were accompanied by other members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Road Transport and Highways.

There were other MPs present as well, including Om Birla. Jammu and Kashmir are building 19 tunnels for a total of ₹25,000 crores. A 13.14 km long tunnel and approach road are being built as part of a project at a cost of ₹6800 crores. 

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All-Weather Connectivity To Ladakh

The Zoji-La Pass in the Himalayas will be traversed by a single-tube, two-lane tunnel that is 7.57 metres high and will connect the Kashmiri towns of Ganderbal and Drass with the Ladakhi town of Kargil. A smart tunnel (SCADA) system was built as part of the project using the New Austrian Tunnelling Technique.

Facilities like radio control, ventilation, uninterrupted electric supply, and CCTV are all included. Using this modern technology, the government of India has saved ₹5000 crores. Nitin Gadkari called this project an important one as it helps establish all-weather connectivity to Ladakh. 

Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) is constructing the long tunnel. By allowing year-round access to the Ladakh region, the project’s completion will not only aid the armed forces but also contribute to regional economic growth. 

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Let us know your views on the first pictures.

Cover Image Courtesy: @Nitingadkari/Twitter