NEW DELHI, Oct 14: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tomorrow will initiate the first blasting for construction related work at the 14.15 km Zojila tunnel that will provide all-year connectivity between Kashmir valley and Leh, the Government said.
The project holds strategic significance as Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway and remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall. At present it is one of the most dangerous stretches in the world to drive a vehicle and this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.
The Ministry of Road Transport, Highways (RTH) said Gadkari will initiate the first blasting for Zojila Tunnel in J&K tomorrow.
Blasting means blowing up or breaking apart something solid with explosives.
“The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir valley and Leh (Ladakh plateau) on NH-1, and will bring about an all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of Jammu & Kashmir,” it said in a statement.
It involves construction of a 14.15-km long tunnel at an altitude of about 3,000 m under Zojila pass (presently motorable only for six months in a year) on NH-1 connecting Srinagar and Leh through Drass and Kargil.
“This tunnel when completed will be a landmark achievement in the history of modern India. It will also be of great importance to the Defence of the country, in view of the fact that massive military activities along our borders in Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan regions are taking place,” the statement said.
Zojila Tunnel project shall bring to fruition, 30 years of overwhelming public demand of Kargil, Drass and Ladakh region, the statement said and added that the project will make the travel on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 free from avalanches, would enhance safety and would reduce the travel time from more than 3 hours to 15 minutes. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
