Inside the Zojila tunnel

Every time 49-year-old Hari Chand, a concrete pump operator, takes a small break inside the under-construction Zojila tunnel, he makes a beeline for the heater, soaking in a few precious moments of warmth. Outside, temperatures have plunged to minus 18°C. Yet Chand, a native of Haryana, carries on.“When I came here last year, winter had already set in and snowfall had begun. Over these months, I have experienced the harshest cold, but nothing has stopped us. In my mind, there is only one thing — to finish the work sooner,” he says. “I have to keep my fingers warm, otherwise I cannot continue.”Chand is among the dozens of workers labouring round the clock, racing towards the much-anticipated “breakthrough” — the moment when excavation from both ends meets — that will bring all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh through the strategically vital Zojila tunnel. The project is being built at a cost of Rs 6,809 crore.Work on the ground began in April 2021, three years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in 2018. Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) took over after re-tendering. For five years, teams have braved temperatures dipping to sometimes even minus 30°C and navigated the fragile Himalayan geology. Now, less than 700 metres remain.Last year, the Lok Sabha was informed that although the project was initially scheduled for completion in September 2026, delays caused by Covid-19, extreme weather, and the 2024 militant attack on the nearby Z-Morh (Sonamarg) tunnel project have pushed the target to February 2028. Inside the tunnel, where only the shift change marks time, and mud and slush define the terrain, work continues relentlessly.Rajendra Kumar from Himachal Pradesh, part of the core workforce, recalls how distant the goal once seemed. “When I first came here in 2021, everyone thought it might take years to see the breakthrough. But we haven’t let any difficulty stop us,” he says. Officials say the project has two components: the approach road connecting the Z-Morh tunnel to the Zojila tunnel — including bridges, tunnels, and cut-and-cover structures — which has been completed, and the main 13.153-km tunnel, now nearing its breakthrough.A map (not to scale) of the Zojila Tunnel. Courtesy: MEILBeing constructed at an altitude of 11,578 feet at Zojila Pass, it will, once complete, be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel at this altitude.Work is currently underway from both ends — the western portal on the Kashmir side and the eastern portal at Minamarg-Drass on the Ladakh side.Mehraj-u-Din Lone, manager of the eastern portal, has been associated with the project since its inception. He recalls winters here — when temperatures fall drastically and the pass shuts under heavy snow.“The weather remains the biggest challenge,” he says. “The first task is to stock everything — food items, construction material, everything required for tunnelling.” Even water used for concrete has to be heated above 50°C to prevent freezing. “Everything is planned and executed keeping in view the freezing conditions,” Lone adds.HL Pandita, who oversees administrative affairs, says extensive arrangements are made to support workers. “From hot water to every kind of facility, we ensure that workers feel comfortable after their shifts,” he adds. For many, the project represents more than engineering. “Zojila is a prestigious project for the country. It will be a lifetime achievement for everyone associated with it,” says Lone. “Inside, it is only mud and slush. The motivation comes from knowing what this tunnel will mean.”Senior officials have led from the front. “When we began the concrete lining work, I remained at the site for 24 hours. That was a big motivation for everybody,” Lone says.Milestones are celebrated. “Recently, when we completed 6 km, we cut a cake inside the tunnel. Everyone put it up as their status on social media platforms,” he adds.For MEIL, a South Indian company undertaking its first major project in North India, the conditions were unprecedented. Joint Chief Operating Officer Harpal Singh recalls that the project was awarded a day after tender opening. “When we reached Sonamarg, there was already more than 2 feet of snow,” he says.The project lies at elevations between 2,900 metres and 3,500 metres.Local support proved crucial. “More than 80 per cent of employees are from Jammu and Kashmir. In five years, the project did not stop for even an hour due to any local issue,” Singh says.Two major setbacks tested morale: the 2024 militant attack and altitude-related health issues. The October 2024 attack on the Z-Morh tunnel project killed seven people, including a local doctor. “Around 550 people left after the attack. It took time to stabilise,” Singh says.High-altitude pulmonary edema and other health concerns also forced nearly 300 workers to leave over five years. “We had to constantly monitor health. Haemoglobin levels sometimes rise to 19 or 20. We replace people and keep the work going,” Pandita explains.Project manager Col AK Shivkumar (retd) calls it India’s toughest tunnel project due to the complex geology and high-altitude terrain. A breakthrough — “the handshake of two sides” — is expected in April-May.The tunnel is being excavated using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). “The rock conditions keep changing. We deal with challenges daily and tackle them on the spot,” Col Shivkumar says. He recalls multiple avalanches, including one that buried a workshop and another that claimed two lives.Once operational, the tunnel will drastically reduce travel disruptions caused by snowbound passes. Strategically, it is vital — Ladakh shares borders with Pakistan and China. “For the military, the project holds immense significance,” Col Shivkumar adds. Though public opening is expected in 2028, officials note that once the breakthrough is achieved, the tunnel could be used in emergencies if required by the government.Beyond its strategic value, the tunnel promises economic transformation. At Matiyan village in Drass, the first settlement in Kargil after crossing Zojila, locals are already planning guest houses and restaurants along the highway, anticipating increased traffic and tourism.ON TARGETExpected breakthroughApril-May 2026(less than 700 metres remaining)Project completion: February 2028Cement used: 50 lakh bagsSteel: 3,000 MTTotal cost: Rs 6,809 crore

Inside the Zojila tunnel

Adil Akhzer reports from the project site as the 13.1-km main tunnel — that will bring all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh — nears breakthrough

Adil Akhzer

Inside the Zojila tunnel

Adil Akhzer reports from the project site as the 13.1-km main tunnel — that will bring all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh — nears breakthrough

Adil Akhzer

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