Final Breakthrough Blast Completed in Zoji La Tunnel Linking Kashmir and Ladakh

On June 9, 2026, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari presided over the breakthrough ceremony at Minamarg, Kargil, where the final rock section of the 13.14-kilometre Zojila tunnel was blasted through, joining excavations from both ends. Described by officials as the world's longest single-tube, bi-directional road tunnel at high altitude — situated between 2,900 and 3,310 metres — the project was executed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) for the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). More than 3,000 workers have been involved since 2020, completing the work without a fatal accident according to project engineers. The tunnel will reduce travel time across the Zojila stretch from roughly 90 minutes to 15–30 minutes and eliminate the annual closures that previously cut Ladakh off from Kashmir for up to 160–180 days per year, though recent improvements had already reduced that figure. Strategically, the route is the primary supply corridor for Indian Army deployments in Ladakh, including along the Line of Actual Control with China, and defence planners view uninterrupted access as critical following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The tunnel is expected to be fully operational by 2028 and forms part of a broader network of border infrastructure projects, including the recently inaugurated Z-Morh (Sonamarg) tunnel and a new railway line connecting the plains to Kashmir. Beyond military utility, officials and local leaders highlighted expected benefits for tourism, economic development, and access to healthcare and education in the remote region.