Minimarg (Ladakh), Jun 9 (PTI) Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday described the breakthrough in the Zojila tunnel as a golden day in the infrastructure history of the country, saying the project would become a lifeline for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
“Today is the golden day in India’s infrastructure history. I am happy that the 14 km-long, state-of-the-art, world’s longest tunnel will be a lifeline for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” Gadkari said after the breakthrough was achieved in the tunnel.
He said the Zojila tunnel approach would be completed by February 2028.
“This is a good gift for the people of J-K and Ladakh,” he said
Congratulating the engineers and workers of the project, the Union minister for road transport and highways said they have worked in extreme cold and difficult conditions.
“This will provide an all-weather connectivity. The tunnel has all the safety features and the project has provided jobs to locals,” he said.
Gadkari said Rs 5,000 crore has been saved as the total cost of the work would come to around Rs 7,000 crore, which is less than the estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore.
He expressed gratitude to labourers, consultants, engineers and officials of the executing agency, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, as well as the NHIDCL team.
The Union minister also announced a slew of new projects for J-K and Ladakh.
On the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, Gadkari said while 20 tunnels have been completed, work is ongoing on five more.
“After the completion of those tunnels, the travel time will be reduced to three hours from Jammu to Srinagar. It is my dream and I assure you it will be realised soon,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the Zojila tunnel breakthrough marks a historic occasion.
Sinha expressed gratitude to the project team for the achievement while working in difficult conditions. He also thanked Gadkari and his ministry.
“The way development work in J-K and Ladakh is going on, it will help increase tourism and improve national security,” the J-K LG said.
Expressing hope that the project is completed soon, Sinha said the tunnel along with Sonamarg tunnel would provide ease to Amarnath yatris coming from across the country.
In a video message, Ladakh LG V K Saxena, while congratulating the people of J-K and Ladakh, said the project is an engineering marvel.
Describing the tunnel breakthrough as historic, Saxena said once completed, the tunnel would be a milestone in the development of the region.
“It will increase the economy and winter tourism.
It will emerge as a new lifeline for Ladakh,” he added.
