Zojila Tunnel Nears Completion, Delivering Year-Round Connectivity to Ladakh
The Zojila Tunnel project has achieved a major milestone with its final breakthrough, bringing India closer to completing one of its most ambitious mountain infrastructure projects. Stretching 13.153 kilometres beneath the rugged Himalayan terrain, the tunnel will be the world’s longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel at high altitude.
Located between Baltal in Sonamarg and Meenamarg near Drass and Kargil, the tunnel is being constructed at an elevation of around 11,578 feet above sea level. Once operational, it will ensure all-weather road connectivity between the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, significantly reducing travel disruptions caused by heavy snowfall, avalanches, and harsh winter conditions.
The project is expected to boost regional development, tourism, trade, and strategic mobility while strengthening connectivity to some of India’s most remote Himalayan regions. The final breakthrough represents a landmark achievement in engineering and infrastructure development, showcasing India’s growing capability to execute complex projects in challenging mountainous terrain.
