The work of zozila tunnel in J&K began today. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh and Ladakh on NH-1, and will bring about an all-round economic and socio–cultural integration of Jammu & Kashmir. It involves construction of a 14.15 Km long tunnel at an altitude of about 3000 m zozila pass connecting Srinagar and Leh through Dras & Kargil. It is one of the most dangerous route in the world to drive a vehicle & this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.
The project was first conceived in 2005 and its Detailed Project Report was prepared by BRO (Borders Roads Organization) in year 2013. Attempts to award the project four times weren’t successful.
The Project was eventually given to NHIDCL in July 2016 for implementation on EPC mode. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone at Leh and commenced the work on May 2018. The work progressed up to July 2019.
Construction of two-lane Bi-directional single tube tunnel without parallel egress/escape passage.
The re-modelling of the project will result in savings to the tune of ₹4,000 crore to the public exchequer without any compromise on safety, security and quality.
The Design Speed in tunnel to be 80 KMPH.Adding approach road of 18 km (Net road length is 12 KM) from end of Z-Morh tunnel to start of Zozila tunnel with Avalanche protection structures such as Catch Dams, Snow Galleries, Cut & Cover, Deflector Dam, etc. to make it an all-weather connection between two tunnels. Zojila tunnel is not a mere tunnel but a modern-day marvel.
The modified cost worked out was Rs. 4429.83 crore & it would reduce the travel time from more than 3.5 Hours currently to just 15 Minutes to travel through the tunnel.To take up integrated project of Zozila tunnel and approach road from Z-Morh to Zozila with avalanche protection for all weather connectivity.
The surveillance cameras in the tunnel shall be installed on the tunnel wall and the cameras in the area before and after the tunnel are installed on a pole. Data and video mage shall be transmitted through the communications lines.
Automatic Fire Detection and suppression System in the tunnel, Emergency Telephone Niches, Traffic control system with a central control room.
