NEW DELHI: Strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir is all set to create a history by becoming the first state in the country to house the longest tunnel in the Southeast Asia at an altitude of 3,500 meters.
The 14.08 kilometer tunnel is being drilled through the treacherous Zojila pass that will connect Sonamarg in central Kashmir with Kargil in Ladakh and make strategic 434 kilometer Srinagar-Leh highway motorable throughout the year.
Estimated to cost Rs10,050 crore, the Zojila tunnel will be completed in seven years. The funding will be made from Rs 80,000 crore Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan for Jammu and Kashmir announced by the premier Narendra Modi recently in Srinagar.
The project also involves construction of 10.8 kilometer approach road with three vertical ventilation shafts, snow gallery of 700 meters and avalanche protection measures. After the completion, the tunnel will become the longest in the Southeast Asia.
“The dream of the people of Kargil has came true under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Haji Anayat Ali, chairman J&K Legislative Council .
Zojila is the second tunnel on Srinagar-Kargil stretch to be built on the national highway to ensure round the year connectivity between the valley and the cold desert of Ladakh. Work is currently in progress on Z-Morh tunnel, 20 kms away from Zojilla pass, on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway.
“Coming up at a cost of Rs2,716.90 crore, the Z-Morh tunnel is expected to be completed by 2017. The 6.5 km long tunnel will connect Gagangeer directly with Sonamarg,” said an official spokesman.
The 434 km long Srinagar-Leh highway passes through the most unstable and avalanche prone areas. From 80 kilometer near Sonamarg to 114 kilometer in Minimarg, there are 109 avalanche prone spots. Particularly the area ahead of Gagangir in Sonamarg to Minimarg ahead of Zojila remains snowbound during winters. The tunnels are being considered a safe bet which will provide all weather road connectivity to Ladakh.
“Not only the tunnels but some approach roads are also to be constructed that goes with package,” said an officer associated with the project.
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