Nitin Gadkari launches work on Zojila tunnel; project to provide year-round connectivity between Srinagar-Leh

Once completed, the tunnel, projected as Asia’s longest, would reduce the travel time from 3 hours to 15 minutes with avalanche-free travel on the Srinagar-Leh section of NH1 New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday launched the construction work on the Zojila tunnel and exuded confidence that the strategic project which will provide all-year connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh will be completed ahead of schedule. “Zojila tunnel will not only provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Drass, Kargil and Leh but it will also further strengthen the economic and social-cultural integration of both the Union Territories,” Gadkari said. The travel tourism sector will get a maximum boost and generate employment for the locals, the Minister said and added: “We are ensuring robust safety measures in case of any emergency for the travelers crossing the Zojila tunnel.” He assured formation of committees under LG Leh and LG J&K with respective Chief Secretaries and officers of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited to oversee tunnel work and to sort out local issues. “The construction cost of Zojila tunnel was earlier worked out at Rs 6,575.85 crore… the total integrated cost of the project including Zojila tunnel and approaches up to Z- Morh tunnel works out to Rs 10,643 crores,” MoRTH said.