Zojila Tunnel – Information & Update

14.15 km Zoji La Tunnel by NHIDCL is an under construction 2 lane road project between Sonamarg and Drass on the Srinagar-Leh Highway in Jammu and Kashmir.

This project by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) aims to ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Sonmarg and Kargil in Ladakh.

Zojila Tunnel is expected to completed and opened in 2027 beyond its 2026 deadline. Construction via the NATM tunneling method is expected to cost Rs. 8,308 crore.

The project’s foundation stone was laid in May 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Its civil construction contract was originally awarded to Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) which went bankrupt. In 2020, NHIDCL re-tendered the project and awarded its contract to MEIL (Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd).

In May 2023, 5 firms submitted bids to prepare a Detailed Project Report for its second tunnel / tube.

Location

Zojila Tunnel is located between Sonamarg and Dras on the Srinagar-Leh Highway in Jammu and Kashmir.

Along with the 6.5 km Z-Morh Tunnel to its west, it aims to enhance the Indian military’s capabilities in Kashmir and Ladakh along both the Line of Control (LOC) to the north and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) further east.

Current Status

As of September 2022, 2.1 km (15%) of tunneling work has been completed. Zoji La Tunnel is expected to completed and opened in 2027 beyond its 2026 deadline.

Here’s a recent video by Nitin Gadkari on YouTube:

Page last updated: March 24, 2024. Have a question or spot an error? Let me know here.