India is building two road tunnels in some of the country’s most challenging terrain which when built will be among the world’s highest.
The Zoji-la Tunnel will continue for 8.8 miles (14.2km) and be 3,528 metres above sea level while Z-Morh Tunnel covers four miles (6.5km).
Together the two tunnels will allow year-round access between Ganderbal in Kashmir and the Kargil district of Ladakh when building work is completed.
The price tag for the work comes in at £1.07billion ($1.4bn), with the promise of slashing travel times from 60 to 90 minutes to just 15.
India expects the new tunnels to encourage tourism, boost local economies and improve logistics for its Armed Forces in a politically sensitive part of the country.
Located between Srinigar and Leh, the Zoji-la Pass is a key route for moving troops and military equipment, particularly in winter when other passes are inaccessible because of heavy snow.
Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in 2020, with at least 24 killed in the first major clash between the two countries since 1975.
The tunnel project was given the thumbs up by the Indian government in January 2018, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurating the building work in May that year.
Besides the challenge of constructing two road tunnels at such a height, workers have also had to grapple with freezing cold temperatures.
Designed as a smart tunnel, Zoji-la will have CCTV monitoring, a tunnel radio system and emergency lighting.
When open, the tunnel will mean travel between Srinigar and Ladakh will be uninterrupted throughout the year. Differing estimates suggest the route will be ready by 2026 or 2030.
Originally due for completion within five years, the scheme has suffered setbacks due to the terrain, which includes steep slopes, unstable glaciers and uneven surfaces.
Local resident, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, told The Diplomat in 2023: “The Zoji-la tunnel will change our lives for the better.
“It will not only facilitate the movement of goods and people but also make trade and commerce flourish in the region.
“This will bring economic opportunities and prosperity to our remote villages.”
