Zojila Tunnel construction continues despite -24°C temperatures

Sonamarg, Jan 30: Frosty mornings, icy winds, and snow-covered landscapes have become the new normal at the Zojila Pass this winter.

Despite the unfavourable weather, a sense of determination and purpose drives the team of the Zojila Tunnel project.

At present, the temperature dips between minus 18 and minus 24 degrees Celsius at the construction site.

Despite the harsh weather conditions at the project site, construction work is progressing at a good pace.

Authorities in the Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) construction company, responsible for the construction of the Zojila Tunnel, said that the work was going on in full swing despite the challenging conditions, including the terrain and weather.

“At one of India’s toughest high-altitude locations, the Zojila Tunnel is taking shape despite extreme winter conditions. In freezing January temperatures, teams work round-the-clock to keep progress going. Even in deep snow, MEIL Group teams continue excavation and clear snow-covered roads, ensuring safer movement, smooth logistics, and uninterrupted work on this vital link,” the MEIL said.

“We are working hard to complete the tunnel before its deadline, and for this, everyone, including the company management and employees, be it workers, drivers, or engineers, all are putting efforts in,” a senior project official with MEIL said.

The official said that about 60 to 70 percent of the tunnelling work had been completed, which includes excavation work and construction of bridges and roads besides a few mini tunnels ahead of the main Zojila Tunnel.

Recently, fresh snowfall was witnessed in the area and more than a foot of snow accumulated, making it more challenging for the workers and the team.

Officials said that 100 percent physical work of Part-I had been completed, while Part-II had achieved 41 percent physical progress, taking the combined physical progress to 66.53 percent. The officials said that only 895 meters of tunnelling was pending from the eastern portal, with nearly 6 km already completed and that the breakthrough was expected within the next 3 to 4 months.

MEIL General Manager Shiv Kumar said that excavation on the 13-km main tunnel was nearing completion, with the remaining work progressing in parallel.

“Only 1250 metres of excavation is left in the main tunnel. The rest has already been completed. We are aiming to finish the work well before the November 2028 deadline,” he said.

Kumar said that the project had been divided into two parts, with part one already completed.

He said part one covers the stretch from the Sonamarg Tunnel to the western portal of the main Zojila Tunnel, including a 17-km approach road.

“This section includes two small tunnels, seven cut-and-cover structures in avalanche-prone areas, a snow gallery, four bridges, and associated road work. Part I has already been completed,” Kumar said.

He said Part II comprises the 13-km main Zojila Tunnel, where the remaining excavation and the concrete lining work were underway.

Kumar said concrete lining had already begun on completed sections, with over 2 km lined so far.

“Only a small portion of the excavation remains. We are on track to complete everything well before the deadline,” he said.

The 14.5-km Zojila Tunnel, once completed, would be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel.

Once the tunnel is completed, it would provide an all-weather connectivity between J&K and Ladakh and travel between Srinagar and Ladakh throughout the year would become a reality.

While the distance from Baltal to Minamarg would be reduced from 40 km to 13 km, travel time between J&K and Ladakh would be reduced by 1.5 hours.

The journey would be less strenuous as the roads would be evenly paved.