Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 9: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today described the breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel as a historic milestone that will ensure year-round connectivity between J&K and Ladakh, fulfilling a long-pending aspiration of the people of the region.
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Omar accompanied Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari during the breakthrough ceremony held at the tunnel’s eastern portal near Minimarg in Ladakh, where both ends of the strategically important tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway were successfully connected.
The breakthrough was initiated by Gadkari, who pressed a remote-triggered blasting mechanism at the East Portal site.
The event was also witnessed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other senior civil, military and project officials.
Addressing a joint press conference, Omar said the project would end decades of seasonal isolation faced by Ladakh due to harsh weather conditions and the closure of the Zojila Pass during the winter months.
Congratulating the people of Ladakh, Abdullah thanked Gadkari and his ministry for bringing the project to its current stage.
“We have finally reached a point where J&K and Ladakh will remain connected for all 12 months in a real sense. This was a dream the people of Ladakh had cherished for a long time, but it had remained unfulfilled until now,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the absence of an all-weather road link had posed significant challenges for the residents of Ladakh over the years.
He added that the tunnel would have a transformative impact on the region by improving access to education, healthcare, tourism, trade and commerce.
“The real impact of this tunnel will be understood when one speaks to the people of Ladakh. It will bring changes to their lives in ways that may not be fully visible today,” he said.
Expressing satisfaction over the breakthrough, Omar said both ends of the tunnel had now been connected and expressed hope that the remaining work would be completed expeditiously so that the tunnel could become fully operational at the earliest.
While hailing the achievement, the Chief Minister said one major aspiration of the people of Ladakh still remained unmet – direct air connectivity between Kargil and the rest of the country.
“We have made several efforts, but have not succeeded so far. Direct flight services from Kargil remain an unfulfilled dream,” he said.
Urging the Union Government to intervene, Omar said the introduction of direct flights from Kargil would make a significant difference to the lives of the people of the region.
Referring to the issue, he said there remained “one aspiration still unfulfilled” and sought Gadkari’s support in facilitating regular flight connectivity for Kargil.
The Chief Minister also congratulated the people of Drass and appreciated the efforts of all stakeholders involved in the project.
Among those present were Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, Member of Parliament from Ladakh Haji Mohammad Haneefa Jan, besides senior civil, military and project officials.
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