Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Zojila Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Leh district.
- This tunnel would be India’s longest and Asia’s longest and strategic bi-directional tunnel which is expected to be finished within five years.
- It is a 14.2 long tunnel which will provide all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, Kargil and Leh districts.
- It will be constructed at an altitude of 3,528 metres high Zojila pass and is expected to bring down the travel time from 3.5 hours to 15 minutes.
- The overall budget for the construction of the Zojila Tunnel is of Rs 6,809 crore.
- It is being implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) through the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
- The project has strategic and socio-economic importance and it aims to develop the economically backward districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
- It would make sure that the land transportation is not disrupted in the region after the snowfall.
- The construction of the tunnel was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in January 2018.
