Asia’s longest tunnel is being built in THIS country, not in China, Japan or Korea, it is in…, to get completed by…

Zojila Tunnel, Asia’s longest high-altitude highway tunnel, will revolutionize travel and connectivity between Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. This ambitious project, with a length of 13,150 kilometers, is on track to achieve a significant milestone by April-May 2026, providing all-weather access to one of India’s most remote and strategically vital regions.

Overcoming Extreme Challenges

The construction of the Zojila Tunnel, which cost an estimated Rs 2,600 billion, has been a challenging task due to the extreme weather conditions and difficult terrain of the region. Located in the Zojila Pass in the Himalayas, the tunnel will connect Ganderbal in Kashmir to Drass in Ladakh’s Kargil district. Once completed, it will provide year-round access to Ladakh, which is often isolated for months every year due to heavy snowfall that blocks the Zojila Pass.

Despite challenging conditions, including freezing temperatures as low as minus 18 degrees and the constant danger of avalanches, workers and engineers continue to move forward with determination. Excavations have made significant progress; 12 kilometers of the tunnel have already been completed and only the last section of one kilometer remains.

Strategic Importance and Military Mobility

Zojila Tunnel will not only facilitate civilian travel but will also be a game changer for India’s strategic interests. The tunnel will enable rapid transportation of military personnel, vehicles and heavy equipment to Ladakh, which borders both Pakistan and China. This enhanced mobility is critical to India’s defense capabilities in the sensitive region.

Harpal Singh, Joint CEO of Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), the company executing the project, expressed confidence that the tunnel will be fully connected by May 2026. ‘Once the breakthrough occurs, we will step up efforts on multiple fronts to complete the tunnel, focusing on cladding, safety features and other key installations,’ he said.

Latest Technology and Security Features

Zojila Tunnel is being built using the latest international technologies. Designed by Spanish experts, the tunnel incorporates best practices from advanced tunneling regions such as Europe and North America. Safety has been a top priority, with extensive measures implemented to reduce risks from water intrusion, complex geology and avalanche threats.

The tunnel will have two lanes of traffic and a 1.5 meter wide walkway for maintenance and emergencies. To ensure greater safety, there will be an extended section every 750 meters to accommodate malfunctions or emergencies. Additionally, advanced fire safety systems, including automatic fire detection and extinguishing, will be installed.

Increasing Connectivity and Economic Growth

Once completed, the Zojila Tunnel will significantly reduce travel time between Srinagar and Leh by around three and a half hours. This will have a transformative impact on tourism, trade and the supply of essential goods in the region. It will also benefit local communities by increasing accessibility to health, education and other services.

All in all, the Zojila Tunnel represents a tremendous achievement in India’s infrastructure and strategic planning. The tunnel, whose construction is progressing at an impressive pace, is expected to become an important lifeline for the region by providing connectivity in all weather conditions and increasing national security.