Union Cabinet is reported to have given its nod for the construction of Zoji La tunnel to make possible round the year connectivity between Ladakh and Srinagar. At present Zoji La pass standing at the height of over 11,000 feet remains closed for six months of the year owing to heavy snow and harsh winter. The project of making a tunnel in the Zoji La was being talked about in various circles for quite some time and now the Union Cabinet has taken the final decision. The tunnel is expected to be 14.150 km long, 2-lane bi-directional with total capital cost of the project to the tune of Rs 6,808.69 crore. This will be the longest tunnel in India and perhaps in Asia. A MoU was signed recently between National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd for construction of the 14.150 km long.
The project has immense strategic and economic importance. Once the project is completed, it will mean that road link between the vast areas of Ladakh will remain open for the entire year. This will boost the trade and communication and ensure mobility of the people to and from. From strategic point of view it will enable our defence forces to regularly receive defence supplies of ration, arms and ammunition etc. It will hopefully have very favourable impact on the tourism of the State and thus strengthen her economy. It will put an end to the isolation of the twin districts of Leh and Kargil and bring the people of these areas into the national mainstream. We congratulate the Central Government for having cleared this most crucial project.
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