Work on Z-Morh tunnel 77% done, Zojilla tunnel is 35% complete
Srinagar, July 21:The two tunnels along the Srinagar-Leh 430-kilometer road section are being built at a rapid pace to guarantee that this road remains open all year.
Following the repeal of Article 370, the central and UT governments of J&K have gone into overdrive to ensure that developmental projects, notably road connection projects, are finished within the time limit specified, as they are guaranteed to boost the region’s economy.
According to a senior government official, 77 percent of the construction on the Z-Morh tunnel has been finished, making Sonamarg accessible all year, including during the winter.
“As of now, 35 percent of the work on the Zojila project has been finished. The project consists of a 13.153 km main tunnel and a 17.814 km approach road, is planned to be finished in September 2026.”
A 6.5-kilometer-long Z-morh tunnel and approach road are being built at a cost of Rs 2680 crore. This two-lane road tunnel is being built between Gagangir and Sonamarg in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, beneath the mountain glacier Thajiwas Glacier.
The Z-Morh tunnel project includes a main tunnel with a total length of 10.8 metres, a modified horse shoe shape escape tunnel with a total length of 7.5 metres, a D-shaped ventilation tunnel with a total length of 8.3 metres, two major culverts with total lengths of 110 metres and 270 metres, and one small culvert with a total length of 30 metres. The Z-Morh Tunnel has reached 75% completion. The tunnel is expected to be completed by December 2023.
Intelligent Traffic Management System has been installed in Z-Morh Tunnel which will make it easier to control traffic. Along with this, traffic will be facilitated through the dedicated escape tunnel. The Z-Morh tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town. The debris generated during the construction work of this project has been used for way-side facilities and development of the area.
Zojila Tunnel, Asia’s longest tunnel to establish all weather connectivity for Ladakh. Under this, the construction of 13.14 km long tunnel and approach road at a cost of Rs 6800 crore is in progress in Zojila. It is a 7.57 m high horseshoe-shaped single-tube, 2-lane tunnel, which will pass under the Zojila Pass in the Himalayas between Ganderbal in Kashmir and Drass town in Kargil district of Ladakh. The project includes a Smart Tunnel (SCADA) system, which has been constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method. It is equipped with facilities like CCTV, radio control, uninterrupted power supply, ventilation. The use of modern technology in this project has saved the Government of India more than 5000 crore rupees.
Under the Zojila Tunnel project,the main Zojila tunnel of 13,153 meters with 4 culverts of total length of 810 meters, 4 Nilgrar tunnels of total length of 4,821 meters, 8 cut and covers of total length of 2,350 meters and three 500 meters, 391 meters and 220 meters of vertical ventilation shaft are proposed. So far 28% work of Zojila Tunnel has been completed.
With the construction of this tunnel, there will be all-weather connectivity for Ladakh. Curently the average travel time to cross the Zojila Pass sometimes takes three hours, after the completion of this tunnel the travel time will come down to 20 minutes. The reduction in travel time will ultimately result in fuel savings.
