Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the media that roadworks worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore are being undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The minister arrived at Sonmarg to review the ongoing construction works of the Zojila tunnel, which is expected to be completed by September 2026. The tunnel of 13.5 km long will be Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel which will allow all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Srinagar. It is constructed at 11,578 feet above sea level. Gadkari said that travel time between Srinagar and Lakadh is 3.5 hours, but with this tunnel, the time will reduce to 15 minutes. He requested the concessionaires to complete the work by 2023. The government wants to inaugurate the infrastructure project before the general elections in 2024. The project also includes the construction of a 17 km approach road. The cost of the project is Rs 4,500 crore. Since 2013, this project has seen delays due to many failed bids, said Gadkari. Gadkari instructed the Managing Director of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, Krishna Reddy, to complete the project before the stipulated time, but the infrastructure should not compromise on the quality, he added. From a strategic point of view, the tunnel is a critical asset for the Indian army. The Z-Morh tunnel at Sonmarg will provide all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Srinagar to allow all-year-round tourism. The project is likely to get completed by the end of 2023 at Rs 2,378 crore. Connectivity is the main focus area of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to improve the socio-economic condition of the people living in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. He also said that Jammu and Kashmir would get 20 tunnels of 32 km and 11 tunnels to Ladakh of 20 km. Road projects of nearly Rs 1 crore are ongoing in the region. The government plans to pump in projects of another Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024, he added. He said that about 4,000 local people were given employment in the construction of both the tunnels, Zojila and Z-Morh, on the Srinagar-Leh highways. The Zojila tunnel will get upgraded as the plans are to build an escape tunnel along the main tunnel, which will increase the estimated cost. He further said that it is better to build it now to save money than 25-30 years later. Gadkari suggested the people for enhancing tourism and hotel management skills to attract tourists. The tunnel will have 18 km of approach roads on both sides. It will have three vertical shafts, fully lighted, automatic fire alarm, CCTV coverage and control system linked to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) centre to ensure complete protection. Image Source Also read: Highway, tunnel projects to reduce Delhi-Kashmir travel time