The Cabinet on Thursday approved the building of the tunnel at Zojila Pass to provide an all year-long connectivity between ladakh and Srinagar. Covering a stretch of 15-kilometres, this project will connect the Kargil district to the outer world, which becomes completely inaccessible during winters for more than six months, due to extreme weather conditions.
Kargil, the district spanning 14,000 square kms is not only poorly developed but also ranks at the bottom in infrastructural facilities and overall socio-economic development. This adds to the hardship of the local populace, leaving their survival at the mercy of nature.
last year, Congress general secretary, Rahul Gandhi laid the foundation stone for Z-Morh Tunnel (6.5 kms), which is expected to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar-Kargil-leh and ladakh. Both the projects together may take over 10 years to complete and may cost close to Rs 20,000 crore.
Officials in the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said that the construction of the second phase of tunnel may need at least seven years, and the contract for collecting toll will be for 15 to 20 years.
“This tunnel project is expected to bring in development in the ladakh region. As on date this entire region is practically cut off from the rest of the nation for six months in a year due to heavy snowfall. The construction of this all-weather tunnel will ensure year-round connectivity between the people of ladakh and the rest
of the nation,” said an official from the Ministry.
“In times of heavy snow and road blocks, it becomes almost impossible to reach relief to this area,” said the official. The officials are also saying that this connectivity will also lead to an increase in tourism and development.
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been entrusted with the task of tunnel construction at Zojila pass which is located at an altitude of 11,578 ft on the Srinagar-Kargil-leh National Highway 1.
“This tunnel will not only be useful for the locals, but has also been a long standing demand from the Indian army, as it to
keep the Srinagar-Kargil-leh Highway open throughout the year,” said the official.