The 13.14 km Zojila Tunnel is expected to provide year-round access to Ladakh, enhancing military mobility near the borders with Pakistan and China.
The Zojila Tunnel, at an altitude of 11,578 feet, is described as the world’s longest single-tube bi-directional road tunnel. Officials from Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd., which began construction in 2020, stated that the six-month winter closure of the Kashmir-Ladakh highway restricts military vehicle movement. MEIL officials noted the need for year-long transportation access to Indian forces, citing national security concerns due to the proximity of Srinagar and Ladakh to the borders with Pakistan and China. They said the tunnel will resolve inaccessibility and enhance military mobility. Three strategic corridors are planned, including the Rohtang Pass, the Sinkula Tunnel, and the Zojila Tunnel. A 4.1 km tunnel at Shinku La Pass is underway and scheduled to open in 2028, while the 920-metre Shyok Tunnel is already operational.
