Zojila Tunnel: Work on Asia's Longest Road Tunnel is going on at a rapid pace

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Zojila: The work on the strategic Zojila tunnel – an all-weather connection between Kashmir and Ladakh - is going on at a rapid pace and over 35 percent of the work on the main tunnel has been completed while the construction agency is hopeful that the work would be completed by the set deadline of year 2026.

The harsh weather conditions in the Himalayas and the tunnel’s location at 11,578 feet above the sea level make it a challenging project.

On completion, the engineering marvel would be the first of its kind in such a geographical zone.

According to official sources, the Zojila project involves the construction of a 14.15-km long tunnel at an altitude of about 11,578 ft under the Zojila pass (currently motorable only for eight months a year) on the highway connecting Srinagar and Leh through Drass and Kargil.

It is one of the most dangerous stretches in the world to drive a vehicle and this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.

The tunnel would provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh Leh and would bring about an all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of J&K and Ladakh.

The Zojila Tunnel would be a two-lane tunnel. It would be 31 feet wide and 25 feet high in the shape of a horseshoe.

The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), an advanced technology, is being used in the construction.

The Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) is executing the project for the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways undertaking.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, General Manager of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), V K Panday said that the work on the Zojila Tunnel was going on smoothly.

“Over 35 percent of the work on the main tunnel has been completed. The work is going on smoothly," he said. “The area is severely avalanche-prone. The work had to be stopped multiple times due to the difficulties posed by the weather in winters. The tunnel is to be completed by December 2026 and if the conditions remain favourable, the work will be completed by set deadline.”

The total length of the project from Sonamarg to Minimarg is 31 km. From Sonamarg to Baltal, it is 18 km, and then the main tunnel from Baltal to Minimarg is 13-km long.

‘35% work on main Zojila tunnel completed’ - Greater Kashmir

Zojila: The work on the strategic Zojila tunnel – an all-weather connection between Kashmir and Ladakh – is going on at a rapid pace and…

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[nahtanbob]

View attachment 944951
Zojila: The work on the strategic Zojila tunnel – an all-weather connection between Kashmir and Ladakh - is going on at a rapid pace and over 35 percent of the work on the main tunnel has been completed while the construction agency is hopeful that the work would be completed by the set deadline of year 2026.

The harsh weather conditions in the Himalayas and the tunnel’s location at 11,578 feet above the sea level make it a challenging project.

On completion, the engineering marvel would be the first of its kind in such a geographical zone.

According to official sources, the Zojila project involves the construction of a 14.15-km long tunnel at an altitude of about 9850 geet under the Zojila pass (currently motorable only for eight months a year) on the highway connecting Srinagar and Leh through Drass and Kargil.

It is one of the most dangerous stretches in the world to drive a vehicle and this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.
View attachment 944953
The tunnel would provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh Leh and would bring about an all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of J&K and Ladakh.

The Zojila Tunnel would be a two-lane tunnel. It would be 31 feet wide and 25 feet high in the shape of a horseshoe.

The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), an advanced technology, is being used in the construction.

The Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) is executing the project for the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways undertaking.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, General Manager of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), V K Panday said that the work on the Zojila Tunnel was going on smoothly.

“Over 35 percent of the work on the main tunnel has been completed. The work is going on smoothly," he said. “The area is severely avalanche-prone. The work had to be stopped multiple times due to the difficulties posed by the weather in winters. The tunnel is to be completed by December 2026 and if the conditions remain favourable, the work will be completed by set deadline.”

The total length of the project from Sonamarg to Minimarg is 31 km. From Sonamarg to Baltal, it is 18 km, and then the main tunnel from Baltal to Minimarg is 13-km long.

‘35% work on main Zojila tunnel completed’ - Greater Kashmir

Zojila: The work on the strategic Zojila tunnel – an all-weather connection between Kashmir and Ladakh – is going on at a rapid pace and…

www.google.com

Didn't you know you needed Chinese to build these kind of stuff ?

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

Decorated Z- Morh Tunnel in Sonmarg area

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

 

[Skimming]

Didn't you know you needed Chinese to build these kind of stuff ?

Chinese equipments may indeed have been used. We, the curious lay people amongst general public want to know the truth.

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

Work on Asia’s longest bi-directional Zojila tunnel going in full-swing: Official

Ganderbal, Sept 03: The Central Government's initiative to keep Ladakh accessible year-round has resulted in the construction of the Zojila Tunnel, a project that's currently in full swing, aimed at benefiting the residents of Ladakh and Kargil regions.

The Srinagar-Leh highway, usually closed during the winter months due to heavy snow and slippery conditions between Sonamarg-Zojila and Meenmarg, disconnects the region from J&K for around four months. This highway is the sole link between Ladakh and the rest of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Zojila Tunnel, stretching 14.5 km beneath Zojila pass in the Himalayas, connects Sonamarg and Drass town in Kargil district, within the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh.
Approved by the Government of India in January 2018, the construction of the Zojila Tunnel began in May 2018, inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

Once completed, this tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. Part of a major road communication endeavor to ensure uninterrupted connectivity between the two Union Territories, the tunnel will provide all-weather access between Ladakh and Kashmir, overcoming the snow-covered Zojila pass and avalanches that disrupt travel during winters.
Notably, the project aims to enhance safety, free the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 from avalanches, and significantly reduce travel time from over 3 hours to just 15 minutes.

Work on the Zojila Tunnel commenced from both Minimarg and Baltal sides. The excavation has already progressed over 7 km both from Minamarg and Baltal sides.
Moreover, the government's earlier decision to maintain accessibility throughout the year for Sonamarg and SSG Road has led to the approval of tunnel construction in Ganderbal district, Central Kashmir. The first of these tunnels is the Z-Morh Tunnel, spanning 6.5 km from Gagangeer to Shitkadi Sonamarg. This project, managed by APCO Infratech, has seen significant progress with completion anticipated in December this year.
The mega project also includes additional tunnels and bridges. The Zojila Tunnel, undertaken by Mega Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), encompasses a length of 14.5 km and is an essential step towards seamless connectivity between Ladakh and Kashmir.

Project Director NHIDCL Vijay Kant Panday stated that substantial progress has been made on the four tunnels and connecting bridges. The Zojila Main tunnel, spanning 13.2 km, which originates from Baltal and exits in Minimarg, has seen 7 km of excavation work finalized. The project has engaged thousands of workers.

He clarified that the construction of the Zojila Tunnel and its approach road is being undertaken by NHIDCL, and the actual construction is being carried out by Mega Engineering and Infrastructure Pvt Limited (MEIL).

Panday emphasized that the target completion date for the Zojila Tunnel is September 2026, and the project is making significant progress towards that goal. He mentioned that the first Ist Part of the tunnel, with a deadline of February 2024, is also progressing rapidly. Despite challenges posed by heavy winter snowfall, the team is striving to finish the tunnel by June 2024, aiming to provide enhanced facilities to the public ahead of schedule.

Work on Asia’s longest bi-directional Zojila tunnel going in full-swing: Official

Ganderbal, Sept 03: The Central Government's initiative to keep Ladakh accessible year-round has resulted in the construction of the Zojila Tunnel, a project that's currently in full swing, aimed at benefiting the residents of Ladakh and Kargil regions.The Srinagar-Leh highway, usually closed...

risingkashmir.com