India’s longest road tunnel completed:Zojila Tunnel cuts Kashmir-Ladakh journey from 1.5 hours to 15 minutes

The excavation of the Zojila Tunnel, being constructed between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, was completed on Tuesday after engineers removed the final 2.5-metre rock section through controlled blasting, connecting both ends of the tunnel. At 13.15 km, the Zojila Tunnel will be the world’s longest bi-directional road tunnel. The project is expected to provide all-weather connectivity between JK and Ladakh, ensuring year-round access even during harsh winter months. Scheduled to become operational by February 2028, the tunnel will connect Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir with Minimarg in Ladakh’s Dras region. An approximately 18-km approach road is also being developed as part of the project. Once completed, travel time through the stretch will be reduced from one to one-and-a-half hours to around 15 minutes, significantly improving connectivity and transport efficiency. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who attended the breakthrough event, described it as a modern tunnel being equipped with advanced infrastructure and safety features. First 4 pictures of Zojila Tunnel According to officials, about 80% of the tunnel work is complete The cost of this tunnel, being built at an altitude of approximately 11,578 feet, is about ₹6,500 crore. According to officials, about 80% of the tunnel work is complete. This tunnel is 9.5 meters wide and 7.57 meters high. It is the main part of the 31-kilometer long project, which also includes approach roads and bridges from Sonamarg to Minimarg. This project is being constructed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL). Tunnel work completed six months ahead of schedule MEIL secured this project from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and commenced tunnel work in October 2020. NHIDCL officials stated that the work has been completed six months ahead of schedule. The company stated in a release that it is constructing the tunnel using the advanced ‘New Austrian Tunneling Method’ (NATM), which is considered one of India’s most significant engineering achievements in terms of infrastructure in hilly regions. In the last five years, there have been five avalanche incidents at this site. This includes a serious incident in January 2023, when the Indian Army rescued 172 laborers trapped in the area. Gadkari said – Today is a golden day in the history of India’s infrastructure. I am happy that this 14-kilometer long, state-of-the-art, and the world’s longest tunnel will become a lifeline for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. ​