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Shri Nitin Gadkari inspects Zojila Tunnel, Asia’s longest tunnel to establish all-weather connectivity for Ladakh with Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari today inspected Zojila Tunnel, Asia’s longest tunnel to establish all-weather connectivity for Ladakh and an important project implemented in Jammu and Kashmir with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha and members of Parliament of Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Road Transport and Highways.

19 tunnels are being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs  25000 crore. Under this, the construction of a 13.14 km long tunnel and approach road at a cost of Rs 6800 crore is in progress in Zojila. It is a 7.57 m high horseshoe-shaped single-tube, 2-lane tunnel, which will pass under the Zojila Pass in the Himalayas between Ganderbal in Kashmir and Drass town in the Kargil district of Ladakh. The project includes a Smart Tunnel (SCADA) system, which has been constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method. It is equipped with facilities like CCTV, radio control, an uninterrupted power supply, and ventilation. The use of modern technology in this project has saved the Government of India more than 5000 crore rupees.

Under the Zojila Tunnel project, the main Zojila tunnel of 13,153 meters with 4 culverts of a total length of 810 meters, 4 Nilgrar tunnels of a total length of 4,821 meters, 8 cut and covers of a total length of 2,350 meters and three 500 meters, 391 meters and 220 meters of the vertical ventilation shaft is proposed. So far 28% work on the Zojila Tunnel has been completed.

Shri Nitin Gadkari inspects Zojila Tunnel, Asia's longest tunnel to establish all-weather connectivity for Ladakh with Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha
Photo credit-Press release by PIB

With the construction of this tunnel, there will be all-weather connectivity for Ladakh. Currently, the average travel time to cross the Zojila Pass sometimes takes three hours, after the completion of this tunnel the travel time will come down to 20 minutes. The reduction in travel time will ultimately result in fuel savings.

The terrain near Zojila Pass is extremely inhospitable, with many fatal accidents taking place here every year. After the completion of the Zojila Tunnel, the chances of accidents will be zero. This tunnel will provide year-round connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, which will be extremely important for the development of Ladakh, the promotion of tourism, the free movement of local goods and the movement of Indian armed forces in case of emergency.

Disclaimer: This is an official press release by pib.

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Digpu News Staff

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