Zojila Tunnel to Ladakh to be breached soon

SRINAGAR: The Zoji La Tunnel, an upcoming strategic corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, is approaching a decisive moment with engineers working towards a “groundbreaking” final blast expected around May 30.Work is being carried out at a rate of about four meters per day from both ends – Sonamarg (Baltal) in Kashmir and Meenamarg in Ladakh – 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-long tunnel remain to be dug. The Hyderabad-based company is executing the project.“The final blast will bring the excavation phase to an end and complete the core structure of the tunnel,” Singh said, adding that the blast would mark the physical connection between Kashmir and Ladakh.Singh said the historic milestone will be achieved by reducing tunneling to zero within 30 to 35 days. “The breakthrough will ensure speedy construction of the remaining works, including concrete lining, permanent tunnel drainage, installation of monitoring equipment, control buildings, underground transformers and (traffic) smoke control systems,” Singh explained.The tunnel is still two and a half years away from completion. Before opening to the public, the breakthrough will allow construction teams and machines to move seamlessly between the two ends, streamlining work. “Teams and equipment can move through the tunnel without any trouble,” Singh said, adding that this will help sustain construction during the winter when heavy snowfall in Sonamarg prevents surface movement.Officials said 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 kmph to 70 kmph.