For people of Ladakh, Saturday was the light-at-the-end-of-the tunnel moment.
Work for Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity between the Valley and Kargil and Leh areas, was kickstarted by Prime Minister NarendraModi on Sturday. Currently, the Srinagar-Leh road remains closed for six months due to snow.
“The dream of all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh will be finally realised,” said FidaHussain, a businessman from Kargil who is a frequent traveler on this road.
Muhammad Hussain, also from Kargil and driver by profession, believes the tunnel will reduce travel time and also enhance safety of commuters. Chairman Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali, a legislator from Kargil, said locals would get jobs when the construction work starts. “All-weather road connectivity will boost local economy in areas along the highway,” he said. For several years now, the work could not take off on the 14-km tunnel. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs headed by Modi had in January this year cleared the Rs 6,808.69-crore tunnel project that will cut travel time between Srinagar-Leh by three hours. The construction is expected to be completed in seven years from the date of the start of the work. An official said about 30% of the under progress work on the first phase of the tunnel—the 6.5-km Gagangeer-Sonamrag stretch—has been completed. The tunnel would have interior and external lighting, CCTV cameras, emergency guidance lamps and proper vehicle guidance systems. It will also be equipped with firefighting systems.