Zojila Tunnel set to transform Kashmir–Ladakh travel
In a landmark moment for India’s infrastructure development in the Himalayas, the ambitious Zojila Tunnel achieved its historic breakthrough on Tuesday.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari triggered the final blast, symbolically connecting the two ends of the 13.153-kilometre-long single-tube bi-directional road tunnel, one of the world’s longest at such a high altitude at Minimarg.
The project is targeted for completion by February 2028 (revised from an earlier September 2026 target), with full operations expected shortly thereafter.
#WATCH | Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari, J&K LG Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah inside the 13.15-kilometre Zoji-La Tunnel, which will link Jammu and Kashmir with Ladakh pic.twitter.com/u5szmGtQPn
— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2026
The event, attended by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with senior project officers, marks the completion of the main excavation phase of this engineering marvel, constructed at an elevation of approximately 11,578 feet (about 3,500 metres) beneath the treacherous Zojila Pass.
Excavation from both the Kashmir (Srinagar) and Ladakh (Dras/ Minamarg) sides met today, paving the way for accelerated finishing works, ventilation improvements, and road lining.
The journey through the pass, which currently takes over three hours in good conditions, will be cut to about 20-30 minutes inside the tunnel.
The Zojila Tunnel, executed by Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), forms a critical part of the National Highway 1 (Srinagar-Leh) corridor. It includes the main 13.153 km tunnel along with approach roads, bridges, and ancillary structures, bringing the total project length to around 30 km. The project cost is approximately Rs.6,809 crore.
Once fully operational, the Zojila Tunnel, paired with the already functional Z-Morh Tunnel, will provide year-round, all-weather road connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh region. The iconic Zojila Pass currently remains closed for 6-7 months annually (typically November to May) due to heavy snow, isolating Ladakh and complicating logistics.
Boost to tourism and economy
Enhanced access to destinations such as Sonamarg, Kargil, Dras, Leh, and the Amarnath Yatra route is expected to increase tourist footfall in the region and boost the local economy. It will also provide greater mobility for locals, trade, and emergency services in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Strategic military importance: Improved logistics for the Indian Armed Forces in a sensitive border area near the Line of Control, ensuring reliable supplies even in winter.
A spokesman of the Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), which started work on the tunnel in 2020, termed the final breakthrough “a defining moment”. “It demonstrates the successful execution of one of India’s most complex transport infrastructure works in a hostile Himalayan environment,” said senior MEIL officials.
The excavation work has been completed on the world’s longest single‑tube bi‑directional road tunnel at an altitude of over 11,500 feet. “The project will deliver the long‑envisioned objective of seamless, all‑weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, bringing long‑term benefits in mobility, economic integration, and strategic resilience,” said MEIL officials.
Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa Jan said, “The dream of the last 60 or 70 years is about to come true…I want to thank PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Nitin Gadkari on behalf of Ladakh…After the BJP came to power, that govt practically worked on the tunnel…Gadkari monitored the project himself. All the credit goes to his dynamic leadership… Strategically, this tunnel is very important. During the 1999 war, the importance of the tunnel here was realised by the govt and the people…this will lead to the economic growth of Ladakh and Kargil…the all-weather road will benefit the elderly, students, and patients…we have faith in Gadkari that this project will be completed within a year.”
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Yusuf, the Authority Engineer for the Zojila Project, representing ICT AIAPL, says, “I am from Iran. I am proud of it. I can say I am proud that about 80% of the project is already finished; the remaining 20% might take another two years or so to… https://t.co/Iu3LRpqUkn pic.twitter.com/6GgRcgbB9z
— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2026
Yusuf, the Authority Engineer for the Zojila Project, representing ICT AIAPL, said, “I am from Iran. I am proud of it. I can say I am proud that about 80% of the project is already finished; the remaining 20% might take another two years or so to complete fully. Regardless, the breakthrough is a major event for the tunnel, and we are happy that, under the current system, we have managed to execute this project effectively. It will take roughly another two and a half years for the tunnel to fully open. However, in a dire emergency, especially if the Army needed to use it, it might be possible to utilise the tunnel for a short period, although under normal circumstances, it is not feasible to use it yet…”
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Congratulations to Modi govt & the project Engineers for this ground breaking project