Zojila tunnel breakthrough: The road Pakistan wanted to choke during Kargil gets an all-weather shield
The strategically important Zojila Tunnel project has crossed a major milestone, with the two ends of the tunnel now connected to form a single 13-km-long passage beneath the Zojila Pass.Being built by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) at a cost of around Rs 6,500 crore, the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, ending the annual disruptions caused by heavy snowfall at the Zojila Pass, where temperatures can plunge to minus 35 degrees Celsius.For decades, the pass remained closed for nearly 160 to 180 days every year, cutting off Ladakh from the Kashmir Valley. While snow-clearance efforts and improved road maintenance have significantly reduced closure periods in recent years, the pass remained shut for 35 days in 2024, 32 days in 2025 and 73 days in 2026, connectivity still depends on weather conditions.Once operational, the tunnel will ensure year-round access to Ladakh and eliminate one of the biggest logistical challenges faced by both civilians and the armed forces.Why the tunnel mattersThe Srinagar-Leh highway passing through Zojila is the primary supply route for troops deployed in Ladakh, including those stationed in the Siachen Glacier region and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.The route also holds historical significance. During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Pakistani forces targeted areas overlooking this highway in an attempt to disrupt India’s military supply chain to Kargil and Ladakh.Defence planners view uninterrupted access through Zojila as critical for sustaining military deployments, moving equipment and ensuring rapid reinforcement of forward areas.The tunnel is expected to become operational in 2028.Travel time to reduce drasticallyThe horseshoe-shaped, single-tube tunnel will be 9.5 metres wide, 7.57 metres high and 13 kilometres long.Once completed, it will reduce travel time across the Zojila stretch from around 90 minutes to just 15 minutes.Together with the recently inaugurated Z-Morh Tunnel, the project will provide seamless all-weather connectivity on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. It will also improve access to Baltal, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra.Part of a wider border infrastructure pushThe Zojila Tunnel is one of 31 border road tunnels currently under construction in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh — 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh.These projects form part of a broader network of 73 border infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening connectivity and military preparedness along the frontier with China.The push gathered momentum after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which underscored the importance of rapid troop mobilisation and reliable logistics in high-altitude regions.In recent years, the government has sharply increased funding for border infrastructure, enabling faster construction of roads, tunnels and bridges by agencies such as the Border Roads Organisation.Beyond their military significance, these projects are expected to improve year-round mobility, boost economic activity, enhance access to healthcare and education, and strengthen India’s presence in remote Himalayan regions along the border.
