Zojila Tunnel News | Inside India's Most Challenging Infrastructure Project

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is set to trigger the breakthrough blast of the Zojila Tunnel on June 9, marking a major milestone in one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects. Stretching 13.15 km through the Himalayas, the tunnel will connect Baltal (Sonamarg) in Kashmir with Minamarg (Drass-Kargil) in Ladakh, bringing the region closer to all-weather road connectivity. Located at an altitude of nearly 11,578 feet, the Zojila Tunnel is set to become the world's longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel at this elevation. Built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), the project has overcome extreme weather conditions and challenging Himalayan geology to create a reliable year-round transport corridor. Once operational, the tunnel will ensure uninterrupted connectivity between Srinagar, Drass, Kargil, Leh and Ladakh, significantly reducing travel disruptions caused by heavy snowfall. The project is expected to boost regional mobility, improve logistics and supply chains, and strengthen strategic access to India's border areas. Widely regarded as a landmark engineering feat, the Zojila Tunnel represents a transformative step in mountain infrastructure and national connectivity.