SAIL Supplies Over 31,000 Tonnes of Steel to Zojila Tunnel

SRINAGAR: The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna public sector enterprise, has emerged as the single largest supplier of steel to the Zojila Tunnel project, supplying over 31,000 tonnes of high-grade steel, including TMT re-bars, structurals, and plates. Positioned as a key contributor to one of India’s most strategic infrastructure undertakings, SAIL’s consistent and timely supply underlines its pivotal role in national development, according to a PIB handout.

The Zojila Tunnel, currently under construction, is set to become the country’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. It is being built at an altitude of 11,578 feet in the extremely challenging terrain of the Himalayas. Once completed, it will provide crucial all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh via Dras and Kargil, significantly improving civilian and defence logistics in the region. Stretching over 30 kilometres, the tunnel is an integral part of the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway and is scheduled for completion by 2027.

SAIL’s contribution to this ambitious project is part of its wider legacy of supporting India’s landmark infrastructure initiatives. In the past, SAIL steel has reinforced icons such as the Chenab Railway Bridge, the Atal Tunnel, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and the Dhola Sadiya and Bogibeel bridges.

The Zojila Tunnel also represents an economic opportunity for Ladakh and the surrounding region, potentially transforming trade, connectivity, and local livelihoods. SAIL’s involvement, providing the backbone of the tunnel’s construction, reflects its continued commitment to strengthening India’s strategic and economic infrastructure.