Union Cabinet approved all-weather Zojila Tunnel Project

The Union Cabinet on 17 October 2013 cleared the proposal for construction of a 14-km tunnel at Zojila pass in Ladakh region. The project envisages construction of an all-weather road involving 9000 crore Rupees investment to ensure undisrupted round-the-year connectivity between Ladakh and Srinagar.

The Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11578 ft on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway (NH-1), which remains closed during the winter season on account of heavy snowfall and inclement weather.

About Zojila Tunnel Project

• The proposed tunnel project passing through Zojila is one of the highest mountain passes in India. Located at an altitude of about 12000 feet on National Highway-1 the Zojila tunnel along with another 6.5 km long tunnel at Z-Morh in Sonmarg will provide road connectivity to Ladak and Srinagar areas round the year.

• Construction of the tunnel will take seven years, and the contract for collecting toll will be for 15 years.

• The project involves construction of a two-lane and bi-directional tunnel with an escape route. The project will be constructed on annuity mode, where government will pay back the private developer's investment in installments once the stretch becomes operational.