Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday participated in the breakthrough ceremony of the ambitious Zojila Tunnel project, marking the excavation of the final rock wall inside the tunnel. The event was also attended by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Gadkari reviewed the progress of the 13.15-kilometre Zojila Tunnel project, which is being developed to ensure all-weather road connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The strategically important tunnel is expected to improve transportation, tourism, and defence mobility in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, geotechnical expert Janak Singh Rathore praised the engineering teams involved in the project and described the Zojila Tunnel as the world’s highest and Asia's longest bi-directional road tunnel. He stated that nearly half of the construction work has been completed, while the remaining work is progressing steadily. According to him, the project is expected to be commissioned by 2028. Rathore highlighted that the tunnel will play a crucial role in maintaining year-round connectivity in the region, especially during harsh winters when heavy snowfall cuts off road access to Ladakh. He also pointed out that the project would provide a major boost to tourism, including winter tourism activities, while strengthening the local economy and improving connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.

Authority Engineer Yusuf said the tunnel could take another two-and-a-half years before it becomes fully operational for public traffic. However, he mentioned that in emergency situations, particularly for defence-related purposes, the tunnel might be used on a limited basis even before its official opening. Yusuf, who is associated with the project team, expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved so far and noted that a significant portion of the work has already been completed. He described the breakthrough as a major milestone for the project.

Ladakh MP Hanifa Jan welcomed the development and said the tunnel would transform connectivity in the region. He stated that the project had been a long-standing dream for the people of Ladakh and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Nitin Gadkari for pushing the project forward. The MP said the all-weather route would greatly benefit residents, especially students, patients, and elderly citizens who face severe difficulties during winter months. He also stressed the strategic importance of the tunnel, recalling how the need for such infrastructure became evident during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The Zojila Tunnel, stretching over 13 kilometres between Baltal near Sonamarg and Meenamarg near Drass and Kargil, is being constructed at an altitude of around 11,578 feet. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 6,500 crore, the project is considered one of India’s most challenging and significant infrastructure achievements in the Himalayan region. The tunnel is expected to ensure uninterrupted connectivity through the year across one of the country’s toughest mountain corridors, which frequently remains closed due to snowfall, avalanches, and extreme weather conditions.

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