Road Minister Gadkari To Initiate Blasting Process For Zojila Tunnel Today
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways (MORTH), Nitin Gadkari will initiate the first blasting for construction-related work at the 14.15 km Zojila tunnel today. The project would also provide all-year connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh on NH-1, and will bring about an all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of J&K, said the government. The tunnel is also Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel.
The project is also strategic as Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway and remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall. The process of blasting that would be initiated by the ministers generally involves blowing up or break apart something solid with explosives. The project has been awarded to Megha Engineering & Infrastructure (MEIL) which had emerged as the lowest bidder quoting Rs 4,509.5 crore for the project.