Engineers pierce final mountain wall creating continuous highway link
Workers pierced the final barrier of rock deep inside the 13.15-kilometer Zojila Tunnel today, achieving a critical milestone that will soon bridge the geographic divide between Kashmir and Ladakh during harsh winters. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari led the ceremonial breakthrough event at the high-altitude location, accompanied by regional leaders. The state-of-the-art infrastructure project bypasses one of the most perilous mountain passes in the world, sitting at over 11,500 feet above sea level.
Freezing winter blizzards and severe avalanches shutter this high-altitude corridor for nearly half the year, entirely isolating local communities and restricting military supply lines. For Ladakh, this single-tube, bi-directional pass eliminates that winter vulnerability. Engineers from Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd have completed roughly 80 percent of the structural work, with final public operations scheduled to begin by 2028.
Defence forces receive an immediate advantage from this reliable passage, ensuring the secure movement of goods and personnel toward border zones regardless of weather disruptions. Beyond military utility, local leaders emphasise that constant road access will boost tourism, protect students traveling for education, and stimulate the regional marketplace. If an extreme logistical emergency occurs before the official public opening, authorities note the path can support restricted military transport.
