Nitin Gadkari, LG Manoj Sinha inspect zojila tunnel

This is historical tunnel in history of India:- Gadkari

Suhail Maqbool/Press Trust of Kashmir

SRINAGAR (PTK) :- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday inspected Zojila Tunnel – Asia’s longest tunnel to establish all weather connectivity for Ladakh – alongside Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha.

The construction of 13.14 km long Zojila tunnel and approach road is coming up at a cost of Rs 6800 crore. It is a 7.57 m high horseshoe-shaped single-tube, 2-lane tunnel, which will pass under the Zojila Pass in the Himalayas between Ganderbal in Kashmir and Drass town in Kargil district of Ladakh.

The project includes a Smart Tunnel (SCADA) system, which has been constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method.

It is equipped with facilities like CCTV, radio control, uninterrupted power supply and ventilation.

The use of modern technology in this project has saved the Government of India more than 5000 crore rupees.

Under the Zojila Tunnel project,the main Zojila tunnel of 13,153 meters with 4 culverts of total length of 810 meters, 4 Nilgrar tunnels of total length of 4,821 meters, 8 cut and covers of total length of 2,350 meters and three 500 meters, 391 meters and 220 meters of vertical ventilation shaft are proposed.

So far 28% work of Zojila Tunnel has been completed.

With the construction of this tunnel, there will be all-weather connectivity for Ladakh.

Currently the average travel time to cross the Zojila Pass sometimes takes three hours, after the completion of this tunnel the travel time will come down to 20 minutes.

Nitin Gadkari on the occasion said that this is historical and important channel in history of India.

The tunnel length is supposed to be highest in Asia now and we have adapted a technology that will save around 5000 crore for us now, he said.

He said that it is our aim to connect Kashmir with Kanyakumari and by using this tunnel, there will be all weather connectivity to Ladakh.

He said that it is very uphill task as working in -28 is beyond imagination and so far two people have already lost their lives.

He said that 29 airstrips are coming up as well.

LG on the occasion said that they will try to complete the tunnel by October 2023 and maximum local youth are being engaged in the work.

This will help us to keep Sonamarg open in all weathers, he said, adding that it will help in boosting economy as well. (PTK)