IL&FS bows out, govt to invite tenders for Zojila tunnel for the third time

14.2 km Length of the bi-directional single tube tunnel, which will be India's longest

The Union government is set to invite tenders for a third time for its ambitious Zojila tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir as crisis-hit Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) has surrendered the Rs 6,809-crore contract it bagged in 2017. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the road ministry, has begun work for rebidding the project, which is aimed at providing all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. 

It is learnt that bids will be invited before the dates for the general election are announced. According to an official in the know, the decision