The Zojila Tunnel, the world’s longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel at the highest altitude, achieved its final breakthrough on Tuesday with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari pressing a remote-triggered blasting mechanism at the East Portal site near Minimarg in Ladakh.
Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the developer of the 13.153-km Zojila Road Tunnel, said today’s breakthrough marks the completion of excavation for the road tunnel.
The project is being executed by MEIL for the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to establish all-weather connectivity across the strategic Himalayan corridor between Baltal in Kashmir and Meenamarg in Ladakh.
Located in the Zojila region between the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the tunnel is being developed at an elevation of around 11,578 ft above sea level under extremely demanding geological and climatic conditions.
Once operational, the project will provide year-round connectivity on the Srinagar–Kargil–Leh axis, a route that remains affected by prolonged winter closures due to heavy snowfall and avalanche risks.
A statement by the developer said the main tunnel extends from the West Portal at Baltal to the East Portal at Meenamarg, with excavation undertaken from both ends.
“The final breakthrough of the main tunnel represents the completion of the most critical excavation phase and reflects the successful execution of underground works in fragile Himalayan geology under highly adverse terrain and weather conditions,” it said.
Apart from the main tunnel, the overall project includes approach roads, bridges, protective works, cut-and-cover sections, snow protection structures and associated tunnel components that together form a comprehensive corridor development package.
The project is of immense socio-economic and strategic importance as it is expected to improve mobility, strengthen logistics reliability, support tourism and essential services, and enhance connectivity for border regions.
Gadkari said this tunnel is state of the art. “This tunnel has been constructed with world-class safety standards and will provide all weather connectivity to Leh, Ladakh,” he said, describing it a “historic” day in India’s infrastructure story.
“The Zojila Tunnel is set to make a world record once it is fully operational. It will be a lifeline for the people of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
On Tuesday, JK L-G Manoj Sinha, who was also present at the event, said the dream of all weather connectivity for Ladakh is coming true with the final breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel. “The engineers involved in the project have worked very hard under challenging conditions. Connectivity plays a key role in the development of any region, and the Zojila tunnel will represent that,” he said.
Back regular flight link to Kargil: Omar to Gadkari
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today accompanied Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari during the historic breakthrough ceremony of the Zojila Tunnel on Tuesday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Omar Abdullah described the tunnel as a project that would “transform daily life” in the region. He said it would ease access to education, healthcare and markets, and significantly boost tourism and trade. “It will bring improvements in people’s lives that we may not fully realise today,” he noted, while congratulating the local population.
The Chief Minister also welcomed the breakthrough as the fulfilment of a long-pending demand of the region, while stressing the need to complete the remaining works at the earliest so that the tunnel could be fully operational.
On broader connectivity, Omar highlighted the need for improved air connectivity for Kargil. He said efforts had been made in this direction but more support was required. Referring to this, he said there remains “one aspiration still unfulfilled” and urged the Union Minister to support regular flight connectivity for Kargil, expressing hope that it would soon become a reality.
Will be game-changer in Ladakh’s progress story, says L-G Saxena
As the Zojila tunnel achieved a major breakthrough on Tuesday, Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday said the historic breakthrough would prove to be a game-changer in the development journey of Ladakh.
In a statement posted on X, Saxena said Zojila Tunnel, a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would significantly “strengthen connectivity in the border regions of Ladakh and provide year-round connectivity with the rest of India.”
While thanking Union Minister for Highways and Roadways Nitin Gadkari “for making this project possible and for supporting Ladakh with new road infrastructure projects”, the L-G said it would improve tourism in the UT, create new livelihood avenues and bolster our collective efforts for sustainable development in the high-altitude regions of Ladakh.
Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa said the historic breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel marks the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream of the people of Ladakh. Today is not merely an engineering milestone. It is an emotional moment for every family that has endured the hardships of winter isolation for generations,” he said.
He said this tunnel is a lifeline for Ladakh, particularly for the people of Kargil, who have long faced immense challenges during the harsh winter months.
“For decades, all-weather connectivity through Zojila remained a cherished dream and generations of Ladakhis struggled and advocated tirelessly to make it a reality. I congratulate the people of Ladakh on this landmark achievement,” said the MP.
The Ladakh MP said the days of prolonged winter isolation, uncertainty and hardship are now coming to an end. “The Zojila Tunnel will open a new chapter of connectivity, economic growth, tourism, development, national integration and prosperity for our region,” he said.
Mohmad Haneefa said constructing a tunnel of this “magnitude under some of the most challenging geographical, climatic and operational conditions in the world is no ordinary achievement.”
