Zojila tunnel to give Srinagar valley and Leh all-weather connectivity

After a long wait, work on the much awaited Zojila tunnel will finally commence on Thursday after Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari initiates the first blasting at the 14.15 km long structure. 

The tunnel assumes significance as it will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh on NH-1 with an approach road to Z-morh Tunnel and avalanche protection structures. The project has a history of re-bidding as attempts to award the project were not successful four times. It was eventually given to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) in July 2016 for implementation in the engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) mode.

The project involves the construction of a 14.15 km-long tunnel at an altitude of about 3,000 metres under Zojila pass (presently motorable only for 6 months in a year) on NH-1 connecting Srinagar and Leh through Dras and Kargil. 

Map showing the alignment

 

Some important features of the project are:

• The project was first conceived in 2005
• It was awarded to M/s. ITNL (IL&FS) in July 2017
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone at Leh and commenced the work on May 19, 2018
• The project got stuck after M/s. IL&FS went into financial problems in July 2019
• The contract was terminated on January 15, 2019
• Fresh bids invited on June 10, 2020
• On August 21, M/s. Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited was awarded the work for its quoted rate of Rs 4509.50 crore