The incredible £896m tunnel being built through the world’s highest mountain range

Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴

Asia’s Longest Tunnel Under Construction in India to Boost Connectivity

Construction is rapidly advancing on the Zoji La Tunnel, a monumental 14.2-kilometer subterranean passage set to become Asia’s longest road tunnel. This ambitious infrastructure endeavor in India aims to establish year-round connectivity between the strategically important regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The tunnel will traverse beneath the formidable Zoji La pass in the Himalayas, currently a vital but seasonally restricted route.

Overcoming Seasonal Closures

The existing Zoji La pass, situated on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway at an elevation of 3,528 meters, serves as the present conduit between these regions. However, due to substantial snowfall and the threat of avalanches, this crucial link is inaccessible for approximately six to seven months annually, typically from November to May. The Zoji La Tunnel will not only guarantee continuous passage between these areas throughout the year but also significantly curtail travel duration.

Project Timeline and Revisions

Approved in 2018, the project initially projected a construction span of five to seven years. While the original completion target was set for September 2026, there have been several revisions to the timeline. In 2021, shortly after commencement of work, government minister Nitin Gadkari announced an accelerated deadline of December 2023.

Subsequently, the anticipated completion date reverted to 2026 as construction progressed. More recently, in January, reports indicated a further extension to 2028.

Advanced Tunnel Features and Safety Measures

The approximately $1.04 billion state-of-the-art tunnel will incorporate a comprehensive transverse ventilation system, ensuring consistent air quality. Furthermore, it will be equipped with:

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• Uninterrupted power supply
• Emergency lighting
• CCTV surveillance
• Variable message signs
• Traffic monitoring equipment
• Tunnel radio system

Robust Safety Provisions

Safety is paramount in the tunnel‘s design, with numerous measures integrated throughout the structure:

• Emergency telephones and fire suppression cabinets every 125 meters
• Pedestrian cross-passages every 250 meters
• Motorable cross-passages and lay-bys at 750-meter intervals

Dramatic Reduction in Travel Time

Upon completion, the Zoji La Tunnel promises to drastically reduce travel time between key locations. The current four-hour journey from Sonamarg in Jammu & Kashmir to Meenamarg, a gateway to Ladakh, will be condensed to a mere 40 minutes.

Scenic Views from Within the Tunnel

Despite being an underground passage, the innovative design includes seventy glassless windows, allowing travelers to appreciate the surrounding landscapes during off-peak hours. According to Burhan Andrabi, an engineer from Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, the construction firm, these vantage points will offer “breathtaking views of Sonamarg valley, Baltal, and Zoji La peaks.”

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