Final-phase work on the Zojila tunnel project—described as the world’s longest two-lane, single-tube road tunnel at high altitude—has been completed, marking a major milestone in India’s infrastructure push in the Himalayas.
The tunnel is being built in a challenging mountainous region and is intended to link the Kashmir Valley with the Ladakh region. The project is planned as a single tube carrying two-way traffic, with the tunnel length reported to be between 13.15 km and 14.2 km.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told reporters that the tunnel uses modern technology and is being built to global safety standards. He said it would ensure uninterrupted, year-round movement to Leh and other parts of Ladakh.
Gadkari recalled that during an earlier visit to Ladakh, residents had told him that transport links remain cut off for about six months each year, affecting daily life. He said the project was taken up after the 2014 change of government, when infrastructure development was given high priority.
He added that while the initial contract value was estimated at Rs 12,000 crore, the work has been completed at around Rs 7,000 crore, claiming savings of at least Rs 5,000 crore. He said the tunnel would serve not only as a transport corridor but also as a key lifeline for the region’s livelihoods.
