‘Construction continues to advance, tunnel to provide round-the-year connectivity to Ladakh, ventilation shafts being built, Baltal to Minamarg distance to reduce by 27 km’
The construction on the highly anticipated Zojila tunnel is progressing smoothly, with Nilgrar 1 tunnel now complete while the lining work on Nilgrar 2 is underway.
Of the total 13.145 kilometre length of the main Zojila tunnel, 5 kilometres have been completed so far – 2.5 kilometres each on Kashmir and Ladakh sides.
The tunnels located in the Sonamarg area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, more than 100 kilometres from Srinagar, will provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh, which remains cut off from the rest of the country for four to six winter months every year.
Senior Manager Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd, Burhan Andrabi told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the tunnel is intended to provide round-the-year connectivity to Ladakh.
In addition to the twin tunnels, the highway will also feature three main bridges, two snow galleries, eight cut and cover structures, retaining dams, diversion dams, and three vertical ventilation shafts at the Zojila pass.
Andrabi said about 1,100 people worked on the project throughout the winter despite harsh weather conditions, sub-zero temperature,s and no connectivity. In summer, the number of workers on the project is likely to surpass 2,000.
“The completion of the tunnel will help boost the economy of Ladakh and the people will get all essential commodities in winter even if there is heavy snowfall,” he said, adding, “The pass is known for its harsh weather conditions and is often closed for several months each year due to snow and avalanches. Despite these challenges, the team is working hard to complete the ventilation shafts on schedule.”
Upon completion, the Senior Manager said, the tunnel will reduce the distance from Baltal to Minamarg from 40 km to just 13 km, and will cut travel time by an hour and a half. The project is expected to drive the integrated development of both the Ladakh and Kashmir regions,” the official said.
Zojila tunnel project cost
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the project construction cost was initially budgeted at Rs 6,575.85 crores. The overall project cost is estimated to be Rs 8,308 crores by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), after considering escalation at 5% per annum. The total integrated cost, including the Zojila tunnel and approaches up to the Z-Morh tunnel, is pegged at Rs 10,643 crores.
The government is considering design changes in the project to prevent cost escalation. The Z-Morh tunnel work, which is expected to be completed by December 2023, is being constructed at a cost of Rs 2,378 crores.
Union minister, Nitin Gadkari, recently said that while the cost of the Zojila tunnel in the tender was projected at around Rs 11,000 crores, the government has taken efforts to lower the cost by Rs 4509 crores—(KNO)
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