Union Minister for Road, Highways and Transport, Nitin Gadkari along with J&K LG Manoj Sinha and other MPs of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Roads and Highways arrived in Baltal area of Kashmir today to see the progress of India’s most important Zojila tunnel project. Sonamarg in central Kashmir. The Union Minister reviewed the work being done at the iconic Zojila tunnel connecting Kashmir with Ladakh. Work is progressing at a fast pace and the construction of Asia’s longest, highest altitude 13 km Zojila tunnel in Sonamarg area of central Kashmir will be completed by 2026.
The tunnel is important for the defense forces in Ladakh, which have been flown to use the air force during winters. In case of any eventuality, more Army personnel and ammunition can be sent to the Union Territory. The project will also help the people of Ladakh and Kargil and keep them connected to the rest of the country throughout the year, who are usually cut off from each other for months during winter.
The geopolitically important Z-Morh Tunnel on the Srinagar – Leh Highway (NH-1) was inaugurated today by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri. @manojsinha_ G and Member of Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Road Transport and Highways in the presence of Member of Parliament.
19 in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 25 thousand crores. pic.twitter.com/jBuP378Sv8– Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) April 10, 2023
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari after reviewing the ongoing work in Zojila Tunnel said that “The tunnel project was tendered five times and in the fifth time not only the project was allotted but the cost was 5 thousand crore less than the initial 12 thousand But this tunnel is part of an India project where the government intends to connect Kashmir with Kanyakumari.”
Gadkari said, “The project is tough, and the engineers are working in minus 26 temperatures. While 38 per cent has been completed, other parts of the project have already been commissioned. The tunnel will greatly help in the economic development of the region.” ”
Gadkari further said that “At the time of Kargil war, the dream of the tunnel was seen by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and I am happy that this project is being completed. The area is where the war took place and the project will also enhance the defense deployment.” “We already have Rs 2.5 lakh crore for tunnel projects and will build more tunnels on the demand of the state government. We are already trying to reduce the cost of construction,” he said.
Apart from Zojila, Nitin Gadkari also visited the Z-Morh tunnel, which is about 11 km ahead of Zojila. The 6.5 km Z-bend tunnel is part of the Zojila tunnel project on NH1 that connects Sonamarg to Srinagar. “The work on this tunnel is almost complete and it will be thrown open to the public in October this year,” Gadkari said. Do visit this place even during peak snowfall”.
The Sonamarg region usually remained cut off for a month or more during heavy snowfall in Kashmir, due to which the tourism sector of the region was badly affected. Now with the opening of this tunnel, the tourism sector of Sonamarg area will get a big boost and tourists coming to Kashmir will get another tourist destination like Gulmarg in winters.