MEIL to construct Zojila Pass Tunnel

29 Aug 2020 CW Team

Image courtesy: Financial Express

In a major development in the Zojila pass tunnel project in Jammu Kashmir - Ladakh, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure (MEIL) emerged as the lowest bidder by quoting Rs 45.099 million. The other two bidders in the running were Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Ircon International JV. The contract was awarded to MEIL thus giving impetus to the long-stalled project in the right direction. National highways and Industrial Development Corporation (NHIDCL) had opened the bids on 14 August 2020.

The foundation stone for the project was laid in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He even dubbed the infrastructural project as a “technological marvel”.

The Cabinet on January 3, 2018, had approved the Zojila tunnel project with Parallel Escape (Egress) tunnel between Baltal and Minamarg on the Srinagar-Leh section of NH-1A at a total cost of Rs 68 billion.

Significance of the project

The project is of significant importance because Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway and remains closed for about seven months during winters due to heavy snowfall. Due to the seasonal closing Defense forces face difficulty in ensuring supplies to border posts during winters across Zoji La pass. The tunnel along with the 6.5 km long Z-Morh Tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and will bring about all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

The construction aspect

The 33 km long project will be executed in 2 parts. The first section will be the construction of 18.50 km road. The second part will be a 14.15 km long tunnel which will be built in the shape of a horseshoe. The construction of the project will take six years because of the treacherous terrain and low temperatures in the area.

The project being labelled as Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel and is expected to reduce a 3 and a half-hour drive to 15 minutes of travel.

Features of Zojila Pass Tunnel include:

A fully traverse ventilation system
Emergency lighting
Continuous power supply
Traffic logging equipment
CCTV monitoring
Tunnel radio system
Variable message signs
Overheight vehicle detection
The provision of emergency telephones
Fire-fighting cabinets every 125 metres
Pedestrian cross passages every 250 metres
Motorable cross passages as well as lay-bys every 750 metres.

The project will increase connectivity of the local markets with the national markets thus helping local business and will bring about an increase in job opportunities.

Image courtesy: Financial ExpressIn a major development in the Zojila pass tunnel project in Jammu Kashmir - Ladakh, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure (MEIL) emerged as the lowest bidder by quoting Rs 45.099 million. The other two bidders in the running were Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Ircon International JV. The contract was awarded to MEIL thus giving impetus to the long-stalled project in the right direction. National highways and Industrial Development Corporation (NHIDCL) had opened the bids on 14 August 2020.The foundation stone for the project was laid in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He even dubbed the infrastructural project as a “technological marvel”.The Cabinet on January 3, 2018, had approved the Zojila tunnel project with Parallel Escape (Egress) tunnel between Baltal and Minamarg on the Srinagar-Leh section of NH-1A at a total cost of Rs 68 billion. Significance of the projectThe project is of significant importance because Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway and remains closed for about seven months during winters due to heavy snowfall. Due to the seasonal closing Defense forces face difficulty in ensuring supplies to border posts during winters across Zoji La pass. The tunnel along with the 6.5 km long Z-Morh Tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and will bring about all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.The construction aspectThe 33 km long project will be executed in 2 parts. The first section will be the construction of 18.50 km road. The second part will be a 14.15 km long tunnel which will be built in the shape of a horseshoe. The construction of the project will take six years because of the treacherous terrain and low temperatures in the area.The project being labelled as Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel and is expected to reduce a 3 and a half-hour drive to 15 minutes of travel.Features of Zojila Pass Tunnel include:A fully traverse ventilation systemEmergency lightingContinuous power supplyTraffic logging equipmentCCTV monitoringTunnel radio systemVariable message signsOverheight vehicle detectionThe provision of emergency telephonesFire-fighting cabinets every 125 metresPedestrian cross passages every 250 metresMotorable cross passages as well as lay-bys every 750 metres. The project will increase connectivity of the local markets with the national markets thus helping local business and will bring about an increase in job opportunities.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..