The MEIL-led Zojila Tunnel finally broke ground on June 9

The Zojila Tunnel project is set to reach a key milestone with its final groundbreaking scheduled for June 9. The tunnel constructed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd. (MEIL) based in Hyderabad for National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) will provide all-weather connectivity between the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony.

At 13.153 km, the Zojila Tunnel is the world’s longest single-tube two-way road tunnel at the highest altitude. It stretches from Baltal near Sonamarg to Meenamarg in the Drass-Kargil region, at an altitude of about 11,578 feet above sea level.

The total length of the project is 30,894 km, including roads and bridges. Apart from the main tunnel, it includes the 457.35 meter Nilgrar Tunnel T1 and the 1,953.63 meter Nilgrar Tunnel T2. The project also includes three bridges with a total length of 460 meters, seven demolished structures with a length of 2,350 meters and a snow gallery with a length of 450 meters.

In addition, it features India’s longest vertical shaft measuring 474.3 meters along with two other shafts of 367.38 meters and 213.5 meters for ventilation and emergency safety.

The project aims to address long-term connectivity issues caused by the seasonal closure of the Zojila Pass due to heavy snowfall, avalanches and extreme weather.

Built using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), the tunnel is considered a major engineering initiative in mountain infrastructure. Once operational, it will provide all-weather access between Srinagar and Ladakh and improve connectivity to Drass, Kargil and Leh.

It is also expected to enhance civilian movement, logistics and strategic mobility in the border region, while boosting economic activity and tourism.

To carry out, MEIL set up a base camp with more than 1,100 employees and deployed heavy equipment, including trucks, loaders, excavators, batching equipment, crushing units and modern drilling machines.

Published – 07 Jun 2026 21:41 IST