The news that the Zojilla Tunnel providing an all weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh regions has brought a wave of joy within Ladakh as well as Kashmir region. The project costing about a billion dollars would finally be ready in another two years time from now. It would be a great news from the security scenario as well as security forces have to negotiate hair-bin ridden zojilla pass which takes a lot of precious time. With this tunnel the total time of covering the distance between Dras and Srinagar would be three hours and between Srinagar and Kargil would be five hours. Besides, this would be an all weather route ensuring the people of Kargil and Dras do not have to endure the harsh winters in utter seclusion.
This good news from the union ministry came at a time when the opening of the section between the Sangaldan to Reasi of Baramulla-Sringar-Udhampur railway link. This is the most important railway link and would effectively connect Kashmir with Jammu as an alternate all weather mode of transport. This railway link is projected to be thrown open in another week or two and also has the world’s highest railway bridge in its route. This would truly be an engineering marvel and a great challenge to the Chinese engineering prowess. India can achieve such engineering feats courtesy some of the finest engineers that we have in our lines. We have come along way in the last three decades and now are prepared to undertake massive infrastructural projects without help of any foreign expertise. Most of the work done building this bridge was done by Indians who have studied in Indian engineering colleges and Universities. This is truly a great achievement.
The people of Ladakh have suffered a great deal because of lack of a proper all weather route. There are emergency patients who have to be airlifted from Kargil in Challenging circumstances. All this is going to change now. The region of Kargil can have a great influx of tourists even in the winter months as it would be much easier for tourists to reach Kargil from Srinagar.
We hope that the timeline set for the completion of this project is adhered to in letter and spirit and there is no further undue delay. Our congratulations in advance to all the engineers and workers involved in this big project. Keenly waiting for September month of the year 2026.
