Srinagar: The Zoji La Tunnel project achieved a major construction milestone on Tuesday with the successful breakthrough of its main tunnel, bringing India closer to year-round road connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. The breakthrough marks the completion of the excavation phase of one of the country's most ambitious infrastructure projects.

Stretching about 13.15 kilometres beneath the Zoji La Pass in the Himalayas, the tunnel is expected to become the world's longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel at such a high altitude. The project is designed to provide all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, regions that are often cut off from each other during winter due to heavy snowfall and harsh weather conditions.

Officials say the breakthrough is an important step forward, but significant work remains before the tunnel can be opened to traffic. Construction teams will now focus on lining, ventilation, electrical systems, safety installations and other supporting infrastructure required for operations. The tunnel is located at an altitude of around 11,578 feet and has been built through challenging Himalayan terrain using advanced engineering techniques. The project aims to improve transportation, reduce weather-related disruptions and strengthen connectivity in the region.

Once completed, the tunnel is expected to shorten travel time across the Zoji La corridor, improve access for local residents, support tourism and trade, and enhance movement along a strategically important route linking Kashmir and Ladakh.

The breakthrough has been widely viewed as a significant milestone in the project's development, highlighting the scale and complexity of high-altitude infrastructure construction in the Himalayas.

Sources: The Times Of India