Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday virtually initiated the first blasting for Zojila Tunnel project on NH-1 in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Zojila Tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions.
Terming Zojila tunnel as Asia’s longest tunnel, Gadkari said: “The tunnel will certainly be used in changing the economy of Ladakh, Leh and Kashmir. With the efforts of all the people of our department, we have also saved about Rs 4,000 crores in this tunnel work.”
This project holds strategic significance as the Zojila Pass is located at an altitude of 11,578 feet. During winter, it remains closed due to heavy snowfall, thereby cutting off the Ladakh region from Kashmir.
