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3w ago

Zojila Tunnel Deadline Pushed to February 2028

The delay underscores how pandemic restrictions, a militant attack, severe alpine weather have slowed progress on the all-weather road link.

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Zojila is a 5,008 metre treacherous Himalayan pass along the strategic Srinagar-Leh highway. (PTI)

Overview

  • The 13 km tunnel under Zojila Pass will become Asia’s longest bi-directional highway link and cut Srinagar-Leh travel from three hours to 20 minutes.
  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told Lok Sabha that the project is 64 percent complete with ₹3,934.42 crore spent of an estimated ₹6,809 crore budget.
  • The Ministry formally revised the deadline to February 2028, extending the timeline by over two years from the original September 2026 target.
  • Once operational, the tunnel will ensure year-round civilian and military access between Kashmir and Ladakh, reducing vulnerability to winter closures.
  • Construction employs the New Austrian Tunneling Method and features a Smart Tunnel SCADA system with CCTV, automated ventilation and uninterrupted power supply.