Zojila tunnel: Soon, all-year connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh regions! The development work will begin shortly on the strategic Zojila tunnel, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently announced. The tunnel will provide all-year connectivity between the regions of Kashmir and Ladakh. Stalled for nearly six years, the Zojila tunnel project holds strategic significance as the Zojila Pass is located on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway, at an altitude of 11,578 feet and during winters, it remains closed due to heavy snowfall, thereby cutting off Ladakh region from Kashmir, according to a PTI report.
The Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Gadkari was quoted in the report saying that his ministry is starting work on the Zojila tunnel, which is worth around Rs 7,500-Rs 8,000 crore, to connect Ladakh. While addressing a video interaction on ‘Employment Opportunities by MSME Ministry, Constraints as well as Problems faced by Jammu and Kashmir, the minister also said a new express highway was being constructed to link Delhi with Amritsar and Katra. This new express highway will reduce the travel time between the national capital and Amritsar to four hours at an average speed of 110 to 120 km per hour, the report added.
