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Journalism of Courage
Zojila Tunnel, Asia Longest Tunnel Project: Zojila tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir will provide an all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. Strategically located at an altitude of 11,578 feet, the road project is being constructed in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
On completion, the project will not only play an important role in the country’s infrastructure development but also enhance civilian and military mobility in the region. This under-construction project is set to become India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel.
Over 60 per cent work of Zojila tunnel has been completed. The project initially targeted to be completed by 2026 will take two more years for fully completion.
While replying to a question raised by Lok Sabha MP Mian Altaf Ahmad, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in a written statement on July 31 said that the current physical progress stands at 64 per cent.
Ahmad, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference leader, also enquired about the expected completion date of the Zojila Tunnel project. He also requested details regarding the project’s total estimated cost and the expenditure incurred so far.
Responding to this, Gadkari said: “Zojila Tunnel Project in Jammu & Kashmir commenced with an initial scheduled completion date of September 29, 2026. However, he stated that this ambitious project will be completed by 2028.
“The current physical progress stands at 64%, and the project is now targeted for completion by February 2028,” he said.
Zojila tunnel is being constructed at a cost of Rs 6,809 crore, out of which an expenditure of Rs 3,934.42 crore has been incurred so far.
The Zojila Tunnel project aims to make travel on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh section of NH-1 safer by eliminating the threat of avalanches. However, with the project’s completion now pushed to 2028, it raises an important question: why has this crucial infrastructure project been delayed, and what are the reasons behind the setback?
In a statement, Gadkari highlights several issues behind the delay including adverse weather conditions. “The project has been delayed due to multiple factors, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, a terrorist attack at the Sonamarg Tunnel Project, and extreme adverse weather conditions,” he said.
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