Tunnel to reduce travel time from 3 hrs to 15 min
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Tunnel to reduce travel time from 3 hrs to 15 min

Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari on 14 October 2020 initiated the first blasting for Zojila Tunnel in J&K. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh (Ladakh plateau) on NH-1 and will bring about an all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of Jammu & Kashmir (Now UTs of J&K and Ladakh). It involves the construction of a 14.15 Km long tunnel at an altitude of about 3000 m under Zojila pass (presently motorable only for 6 months in a year) on NH-1 connecting Srinagar and Leh through Dras & Kargil. It is one of the most dangerous stretch in the world to drive a vehicle and this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.


Significance of the project:
  1. The construction of Zojila Tunnel will provide all-weather safe connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions. The all-weather safe connectivity of the road is immensely important from the strategic point of view.
  2. The construction of Zozila Tunnel shall bring about all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions which remains cut-off from rest of the country during winters due to heavy snowfall for about six months.
  3. A tunnel in Zozila is the only viable alternative at present for a full year connectivity road. This tunnel when completed will be a landmark achievement in the history of modern India. It will also be of great importance to the Defence of the country, in view of the fact that massive military activities along our borders in Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan regions are taking place.
  4. This Project will make the travel on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 free from avalanches.
  5. Project would enhance the safety of the travellers crossing Zozila Pass and would reduce the Travel time from more than 3 hours to 15 minutes.
  6. Project will generate employment to the locals.

Safety features of Zojila Tunnel:
  1. Emergency lay-bys are located at intervals of 750 m staggered on both sides of the carriageway. There are sidewalks on both sides of the carriageway. Emergency call niches and hydrant niches are situated at intervals of 125 m.
  2. Manual fire alarm push buttons and portable fire extinguishers shall be at the disposal of all drivers.
  3. A telephone shall be installed at the emergency call niches.
  4. Fire Hydrants and Hydrant Niches, Fire Extinguishers.
  5. Video Surveillance system - CCTV-Cameras: The surveillance cameras in the tunnel shall be installed on the tunnel wall and the cameras in the area before and after the tunnel are installed on a pole. Data and video mage shall be transmitted through the communications lines. To achieve this, transceivers and media converter shall be employed.
  6. Fire Alarm System in buildings
  7. Automatic Fire Detection and suppression System in the tunnel - linear heat detection systems shall be connected to the SCADA system through its own control system.
  8. Emergency Telephone Niches - emergency call niches shall be located, according to the EU standard, in the tunnel at intervals of less than 125 m each to other in the tunnel and in all lay-bys. The emergency points shall have the following equipment like fire alarm push buttons and fire extinguishers
  9. Traffic control system with a central control room.

Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari on 14 October 2020 initiated the first blasting for Zojila Tunnel in J&K. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh (Ladakh plateau) on NH-1 and will bring about an all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of Jammu & Kashmir (Now UTs of J&K and Ladakh). It involves the construction of a 14.15 Km long tunnel at an altitude of about 3000 m under Zojila pass (presently motorable only for 6 months in a year) on NH-1 connecting Srinagar and Leh through Dras & Kargil. It is one of the most dangerous stretch in the world to drive a vehicle and this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.Megha Engineering and Infrastructure (MEIL) emerged as the lowest bidder in August for Zojila pass tunnel project by quoting Rs 45.099 million.Significance of the project:The construction of Zojila Tunnel will provide all-weather safe connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions. The all-weather safe connectivity of the road is immensely important from the strategic point of view.The construction of Zozila Tunnel shall bring about all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions which remains cut-off from rest of the country during winters due to heavy snowfall for about six months.A tunnel in Zozila is the only viable alternative at present for a full year connectivity road. This tunnel when completed will be a landmark achievement in the history of modern India. It will also be of great importance to the Defence of the country, in view of the fact that massive military activities along our borders in Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan regions are taking place.This Project will make the travel on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 free from avalanches.Project would enhance the safety of the travellers crossing Zozila Pass and would reduce the Travel time from more than 3 hours to 15 minutes.Project will generate employment to the locals.Safety features of Zojila Tunnel:Emergency lay-bys are located at intervals of 750 m staggered on both sides of the carriageway. There are sidewalks on both sides of the carriageway. Emergency call niches and hydrant niches are situated at intervals of 125 m.Manual fire alarm push buttons and portable fire extinguishers shall be at the disposal of all drivers.A telephone shall be installed at the emergency call niches.Fire Hydrants and Hydrant Niches, Fire Extinguishers.Video Surveillance system - CCTV-Cameras: The surveillance cameras in the tunnel shall be installed on the tunnel wall and the cameras in the area before and after the tunnel are installed on a pole. Data and video mage shall be transmitted through the communications lines. To achieve this, transceivers and media converter shall be employed. Fire Alarm System in buildingsAutomatic Fire Detection and suppression System in the tunnel - linear heat detection systems shall be connected to the SCADA system through its own control system.Emergency Telephone Niches - emergency call niches shall be located, according to the EU standard, in the tunnel at intervals of less than 125 m each to other in the tunnel and in all lay-bys. The emergency points shall have the following equipment like fire alarm push buttons and fire extinguishersTraffic control system with a central control room.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

India’s Maha Kumbh of Road Construction

The RAHSTA Forum 2025, held on June 25 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, delivered powerful insights and dialogue on the future of India’s roads and highways sector. Organised by the FIRST Construction Council, the Forum served as the curtain-raiser to the much-anticipated RAHSTA Expo 2025, set to take place on 3rd and 4th September at the Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai.Union Minister of Roads Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, while appreciating the efforts of FIRST Construction Council and ASAPP Info Global Group, commended the awards which recognise excellence across various..

Next Story
Real Estate

Built to Last, Designed to Impress

The construction and interior design industries stand at the confluence of functionality and aesthetics, where innovation powers the creation of enduring structures and inspiring spaces. At the heart of this process are materials and solutions that enable architects, designers, and builders to realise their visions with precision and reliability.Featuring iconic brands such as Fevicol—synonymous with adhesive solutions—Dr. Fixit, a complete waterproofing system renowned for addressing every critical area of construction, and Roff, a specialist in tile-fixing solutions, Pidilite has earned ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

New Push to Cut India’s Air Pollution through Power Sector Reforms

In a significant stride toward environmental sustainability, Cummins India introduced CPCB IV+ compliant gensets to India on July 5, 2023, marking a paradigm shift in the power generation industry. These generators are engineered to adhere to the progressive emission norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Being the first sets in the field, they have garnered praise for their remarkable achievements in emissions reduction and cutting-edge technology. Powerica, with its four-decade-long partnership with Cummins India Limited, is dedicated to consistently deliver th..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?