The construction of the 13.15-km Zojila Tunnel, slated to be Asia’s longest high-altitude highway tunnel, is approaching a critical milestone. A major breakthrough in the excavation phase is expected between April and May 2026, marking a significant step toward completing this engineering feat.
Valued at Rs 2,600 crore, the project is designed to establish all-weather connectivity between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, effectively ending the region’s winter isolation caused by heavy snowfall at the Zojila Pass. The project is being executed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) and consists of a single-tube, two-lane structure connecting Ganderbal in Kashmir to Drass in Ladakh’s Kargil district.
Construction is proceeding under severe conditions, with teams facing freezing temperatures and constant avalanche risks. To accelerate progress, work is being carried out simultaneously from both the Kashmir and Ladakh ends. Harpal Singh, Joint Chief Operating Officer of MEIL, reported that excavation is complete on 12 km of the total 13.25 km length.
Once operational, the tunnel will facilitate uninterrupted civilian movement and provide a strategic advantage for the military, enabling the rapid deployment of heavy defense equipment to border regions regardless of the season.
