Zoji La tunnel to Ladakh on brink of breakthrough | India News
SRINAGAR: Joji La Tunnel, an upcoming strategic corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, is nearing a defining moment, with engineers moving towards a “breakthrough” final blast around May 30.Sonamarg (Baltal) in Kashmir and Minamarg in Ladakh – work is progressing at a rate of about four meters per day from both ends using controlled drilling and blasting. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Harpal Singh told TOI that only 300 meters of the 13.155 km tunnel remain to be excavated. The Hyderabad-based company is implementing the project.“The final blast will conclude the excavation phase, completing the main structure of the tunnel,” Singh said, adding that the blast would signal a physical link between Kashmir and Ladakh.According to Singh, within 30 to 35 days this historic milestone will be achieved by reducing the tunneling work to zero. “The breakthrough will ensure speedy construction of remaining works including concrete lining, permanent tunnel drainage, installation of surveillance equipment, control building, underground transformer and (traffic) smoke control system,” explained Singh.The tunnel is still two and a half years away from completion. Before it opens to the public, the advance will allow construction crews and machines to move seamlessly between the two ends, streamlining work. “Teams and equipment can pass through the tunnel without any trouble,” Singh said, adding it would help sustain construction during winters when heavy snowfall at Sonamarg stops surface traffic.The tunnel will reduce the distance between the two ends (Sonamarg and Minamarg) from 49 km to 43 km and increase the vehicle speed from 30 km to 70 km per hour, officials said.
