Ganderbal, Jun 09 (KNO): Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday termed the Zojila Tunnel breakthrough a "golden chapter" in India's infrastructure history, saying it will serve as a lifeline for Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir by ensuring all-weather connectivity.
Addressing a press conference after the ceremony, Gadkari, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the 14-km tunnel is among the country's most significant infrastructure projects, built to global safety standards despite challenging terrain and harsh weather.
He praised engineers, workers and agencies involved in the project, noting construction was carried out at an altitude of around 3,000 metres in sub-zero temperatures, with nearly 80% of the workforce comprising local labour.
Gadkari said the project, prioritised after 2014, was executed successfully after multiple failed tender attempts earlier, and at a significantly lower cost than originally estimated.
The Union Minister also announced a series of new infrastructure projects for Ladakh, including the Rs 1,000-crore Leh South Bypass (48 km) and Rs 200-crore Leh North Bypass (7.6 km) to ease congestion and improve connectivity.
He said work on the 2.6-km Fatu La twin-tube tunnel, estimated at Rs 1,200 crore, will begin within three months, while the Rs 3,500-crore Tela Pass Tunnel project is in the final DPR stage, with contracts likely before March next year.
In addition, Gadkari announced the widening and upgradation of the Srinagar-Gumri road to further strengthen connectivity and complement the Zojila Tunnel.
He reiterated the Centre's commitment to expanding infrastructure in the Himalayan region and ensuring year-round access to remote border areas.
WORLD-CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE
Gadkari stated that the tunnel will be equipped with modern ventilation systems, automatic fire detection systems, advanced CCTV surveillance and cross-passage facilities for pedestrians to ensure safe and efficient travel. “To address snow loads and geological challenges, the project includes eight cut-and-cover sections, four bridges, 40 culverts, snow galleries, catch dams, avalanche protection structures, approach roads and state-of-the-art safety arrangements,” he said.
WILL SERVE AS GATEWAY TO DEVELOPMENT
Gadkari said that the Zojila Tunnel is much more than a transportation project and will serve as a gateway to development for the region.
“Upon completion, travel time between Sonamarg and Minamarg will be reduced from nearly two hours to about 30 minutes, resulting in significant savings in time and fuel. The project will also reduce accident risks and disruptions caused by avalanches and adverse weather conditions,” he said, adding, “The tunnel is expected to boost tourism, facilitate trade, improve access to remote areas and strengthen connectivity to border regions. From a national security perspective, year-round connectivity will enable faster and more efficient movement of the Indian Army, equipment, supplies and logistics, thereby strengthening strategic preparedness.”
“The project will also generate employment opportunities, promote economic growth and improve the quality of life of local communities through enhanced connectivity and regional integration,” Gadkari said.
MAJOR CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS STRENGTHENING LADAKH
The Minister stated that road and tunnel projects worth about ₹18,000 crore are under implementation between Kargil and Leh-Ladakh.
Among the important initiatives is the Kargil–Zanskar–Padum highway project, which is improving access to the Zanskar region while strengthening strategic connectivity and facilitating Army movement.
To improve traffic management in Leh, South and North Bypass projects are being developed to provide seamless movement for vehicles travelling towards Srinagar, Manali and Khardung La without entering the city.
Shri Gadkari also highlighted the proposed Fatu-La Twin-Tube Tunnel and Kela Pass Tunnel, which will improve all-weather connectivity and enhance access to key tourism destinations, including Pangong Lake.
The Minister informed that tunnel projects are being planned at Baralacha La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La along the Manali–Leh route.
These projects will substantially improve travel reliability, reduce journey time and strengthen year-round connectivity to Ladakh.
HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT WORTH ₹1.35 LAKH CRORE UNDERWAY IN J&K
Following the breakthrough, Gadkari highlighted the Government's broader efforts to transform road infrastructure across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
He informed that highway projects worth approximately ₹1.35 lakh crore, comprising completed, ongoing and upcoming works, are being implemented across Jammu & Kashmir to strengthen connectivity, improve logistics efficiency and accelerate socio-economic development.
Gadkari said that four major high-speed corridors are under development to strengthen connectivity across Jammu & Kashmir.
The Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar corridor is nearing completion and will significantly reduce travel time through upgraded highway infrastructure and tunnel networks.
The Jammu–Chenani–Anantnag corridor will improve connectivity between the Chenab Valley districts and Kashmir Valley, while the Srinagar–Baramulla–Uri corridor will strengthen connectivity in North Kashmir and facilitate smoother movement of people and goods.
The Jammu–Akhnoor–Poonch corridor is also progressing rapidly and is expected to improve connectivity in border districts while providing substantial travel-time savings.
STRATEGIC AND BORDER CONNECTIVITY INITIATIVES
The Union Minister highlighted several upcoming projects of strategic importance, including the Katra–Srinagar High-Speed Corridor, the Rafiabad–Kupwara–Chowkibal–Tangdhar road project and the Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri corridor.
“These projects will improve access to border areas, facilitate tourism, support horticulture activities and strengthen strategic infrastructure. A new corridor connecting Surankote, Bufliaz, Supen, Doodhpathri and Magam is also under planning to enhance connectivity between the Pir Panjal region and Kashmir Valley,” he added.
RING ROADS TO IMPROVE URBAN MOBILITY
Gadkari stated that the Srinagar Ring Road project is being implemented in multiple phases to decongest the city and facilitate seamless movement towards Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Gurez, Kargil and Leh. Connectivity to Srinagar Airport and the railway station is also being strengthened through dedicated spur links.
Similarly, the Jammu Ring Road project is being developed to reduce urban congestion and improve traffic circulation around the city. The proposed eastern section will further strengthen regional connectivity and provide a shorter route towards Katra.
DELHI–AMRITSAR–KATRA EXPRESSWAY TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL LINKAGES
The Minister said that the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Greenfield Expressway will provide faster and more efficient connectivity between Delhi and Katra while strengthening economic linkages across northern India and improving access to Jammu & Kashmir through a modern access-controlled corridor.
TUNNEL INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVING CONNECTIVITY REVOLUTION
Highlighting the Government's focus on tunnel infrastructure in the Himalayan region, Shri Gadkari said that tunnel construction has become a key component of highway development to ensure all-weather connectivity, improve road safety and enhance strategic mobility.
He emphasized that these infrastructure initiatives are not merely transportation projects but instruments of economic growth, tourism development, employment generation, regional integration and national security.
Gadkari said that the successful breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel symbolizes the emergence of a New India that transforms geographical challenges into opportunities for development, prosperity and national progress—(KNO)