Zojila Tunnel Likely To Be Completed By February 2028; Centre Says 64 Per Cent Work On Strategic Project Done, Rs 3,934 Crore Spent So Far

The Zojila Tunnel project in Jammu & Kashmir, aimed at ensuring all-weather connectivity to Ladakh, is now expected to be completed by February 2028, the government has informed the Parliament.

The Union government has revised the expected completion date of the Zojila Tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to February 2028, pushing it back from the earlier target of September 2026.

The delay has been attributed to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, a terrorist attack at the nearby Sonamarg tunnel site, and extreme weather conditions hampering progress in the high-altitude Himalayan region.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Thursday (31 July), Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament that the project has currently achieved 64 per cent physical progress.

"The Zojila Tunnel Project in Jammu & Kashmir commenced with an initial scheduled completion date of 29.09.2026. The project has been delayed due to multiple factors, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, a terrorist attack at the Sonamarg Tunnel Project, and extreme adverse weather conditions," Gadkari said.

"The current physical progress stands at 64%, and the project is now targeted for completion by February 2028," the minister added.

The Zojila Tunnel, once complete, will provide crucial all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.

The total estimated cost of the project stands at Rs 6,809 crore, of which Rs 3,934.42 crore has already been spent.

The construction is being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

According to NHIDCL data, the project currently employs 1,141 individuals, with 77 per cent of them being residents of Jammu & Kashmir.

Notably, 28 per cent of the workforce is from Ganderbal district, the minister stated.

The Zojila Tunnel will significantly reduce travel time between Sonamarg and Dras from over three hours to less than thirty minutes, bypassing the avalanche-prone Zoji La Pass.

Zojila Tunnel Project consists of construction of a tunnel of 13.153 km and approach roads to tunnel of length 17.030 km, totaling a total length of 30.18 km.

The adjacent Z-Morh Tunnel near Sonamarg, which complements the Zojila route, was completed earlier this year and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January.

While the Z-Morh Tunnel has already enabled winter access to Sonamarg, the Zojila Tunnel remains the more strategically important link, as it will enable year-round civilian and military movement between Kashmir and Ladakh.

Also Read: Toll Fee Collection On National Highways Crosses Rs 61,400 Crore in FY2024-25, Averaging Rs 168.24 Crore Per Day