Zojila Tunnel Reaches Major Milestone

A major milestone has been achieved in the construction of the strategically important Zojila Tunnel connecting Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari is set to inaugurate the breakthrough of the 13.152 kilometre tunnel on Tuesday. Built at an altitude of approximately 11,578 feet in the Himalayan region, it is recognized as Asia’s longest single tube bi directional road tunnel. The project is being executed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited at an estimated cost of around ₹5,000 crore.

Construction began in 2020, and the first phase was completed in March 2025. The tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh for 365 days a year, significantly reducing travel difficulties during winter. Despite facing five major storms, nearly 1,200 workers continued construction under extreme conditions. The overall project length, including roads and bridges, is 30.894 kilometres, and three advanced vertical shafts have been built for ventilation and emergency access.