Zojila Tunnel Nears Breakthrough

The Zojila Tunnel is a 13.153-kilometre road tunnel under construction in the Himalayas at an altitude of about 11,578 feet, or nearly 3,000 metres, above sea level. The final breakthrough is scheduled for 9 June 2026, and full operational completion is expected by February 2028.

Zojila Tunnel Project

The tunnel is being built to provide all-weather road connectivity between Baltal near Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir and Meenamarg in the Drass-Kargil region of Ladakh. The route across Zojila Pass remains closed for several months each year because of heavy snowfall and avalanches.

Engineering and Construction Details

Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited is executing the project for the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. Work on the tunnel began in October 2020, and the estimated project cost is Rs 6,809.69 crore, or about USD 815 million.

Strategic and Transport Features

When completed, the Zojila Tunnel will be the world’s longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel at such a high altitude. The tunnel is designed to reduce travel time across Zojila Pass from about three and a half hours to 15 to 20 minutes.

Important Facts for Exams

• Zojila Pass connects the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh through the Himalayan region.
• All-weather tunnels in India include the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh and the Zojila Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir-Ladakh.
• Road tunnels in high-altitude regions are used for civilian transport and military logistics.
• National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited is a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Defence and Regional Connectivity

The tunnel has strategic value for defence movement, logistics, tourism, and trade in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is expected to attend the breakthrough ceremony from the Kargil side on 9 June 2026.