Zojila Tunnel project hits big moment June 9 with final breakthrough. Built by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd. (MEIL) for National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL),it's set to open all-weather route between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will be at event marking this feat. At 13.153 kilometers, Zojila Tunnel becomes world's longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel at high altitude — 11,578 feet above sea level. Connects Baltal near Sonamarg to Meenamarg in Drass-Kargil region.
Whole project stretches 30.894 kilometers. Includes main tunnel,plus 457.35-meter Nilgrar Tunnel T1 and 1,953.63-meter Nilgrar Tunnel T2. Also has three bridges,seven cut-and-cover structures,and 450-meter snow gallery. India's longest vertical shaft at 474.3 meters here,with two other shafts for ventilation,safety.
Tackles tough connectivity issues caused by Zojila Pass closures from snow,avalanches,weather . Uses New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) for mountain infrastructure. Once open,allows year-round access between Srinagar and Ladakh,linking to Drass, Kargil,Leh.
Zojila Tunnel will ease civilian movement,improve strategic mobility at border,boost economy and tourism. MEIL set up base camp for over 1,100 workers,using heavy machinery like trucks,loaders,excavators,batching plants,crushing units,advanced drills.
