->BattyBot: /* Status updates */Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes

2021-12-24T23:40:39Z

Status updates: Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes

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{{short description|Road tunnel under the Zoji La pass in the Himalayas}}
{{for|the mountain pass in Ladakh|Zoji La}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox tunnel
| name = Zoji La Tunnel
| other_name =
| photo =
| photo_caption =
| elevation_m =
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| location = [[Zoji La]], [[Ladakh]], <br/>[[India]] {{flagicon|India}}
|route = [[File:NH1-IN.svg|20px|link=|alt=C2]]
[[National Highway 1 (India)|NH 1]]
|status = {{orange|Under Construction}}
|start =
|end =
|startwork = 15 October 2020
|opened =
|close =
|owner =
|operator = [[National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited]] (NHIDCL)
|traffic = Motor vehicles
|character =
|toll =
|vpd =
|construction =
|length =
|lanes = Two (one in each direction)
|speed =
|hielevation =
|lowelevation =
|width =
|grade =
| coordinates = {{coord|34|16|44|N|75|28|19|E|display=inline,title|type:pass}}
}}
[[File:Zoji La Pass.jpg|thumb|Road to Zoji La Pass from [[Srinagar]] |329x329px]]

'''Zoji La Tunnel''' is a 14.2 km long road tunnel under [[Zoji La]] pass in the [[Himalayas]] between [[Sonamarg|Sonmarg]] and [[Dras]]s town in [[Kargil]] district of the [[India]]n [[Union Territory]] of [[Ladakh]], currently under construction, with completion expected about 5–7 years after commencement of construction in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://theprint.in/security/zojila-tunnel-will-be-a-boon-for-the-armed-forces-and-for-tourists-too/60247/|title=Zoji-La tunnel will be a boon for the armed forces and for tourists too |newspaper=The Print |location=India |first=Rahiba R. |last=Parveen |date=19 May 2018 |access-date=18 December 2020 }}</ref> The tunnel along with 6.5 km long [[Z-Morh Tunnel]], (which is 22 km before Zoji La tunnel towards Srinagar)<ref>{{cite news |first=Muddasir |last=Ali |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/more/news/work-on-6-5-km-z-morh-tunnel-to-begin-this-year/ |title=Work on 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel to begin this year |website=Greater Kashmir News |date=27 March 2014 |access-date=6 June 2017 }}</ref> will ensure year-round road connectivity between [[Srinagar]] and [[Kargil]] which currently remains closed for about seven months due to heavy snowfall on the Zoji La pass which is situated at an altitude of 3,528 m (11,578 feet) on the Srinagar-Kargil-[[Leh]] highway. Zoji La is 15 km from [[Sonamarg]] and provides a vital link with [[Dras]]s and Kargil in [[Ladakh]] but remains closed for 6–7 months (from November to May) during winter due to heavy snow fall & snow avalanches.

It takes more than 3 hours to cross the pass but the tunnel will reduce the time. This tunnel was a strategic requirement of the [[Indian Army|army]] and the Ladakhi people as the pass is close to the [[Line of Control]] (LOC) and vulnerable to hostile actions. Zoji La was recaptured from Pakistani raiders under [[Operation Bison (Jammu & Kashmir 1948)|Operation Bison]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/defence/zojila-battle-of-1948-when-indians-surprised-pakistan-with-tanks-at-11553-ft/314474 |title=Zojila battle of 1948 – when Indians surprised Pakistan with tanks at 11,553 ft, |website=The Print|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref>

The Zoji La tunnel project was approved by the [[Government of India]] in January 2018 and the commencement of its construction was inaugurated by the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] in May 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/j-k-pm-modi-inaugurates-zojila-tunnel-project-in-leh-all-you-need-to-know-about-indias-longest-tunnel-5182934/|title=PM Modi inaugurates Zojila project in Leh: All you need to know about India’s longest tunnel|date=19 May 2018 |newspaper=The Indian Express |access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref> The tunnel will be built under EPC mode (engineering, procurement, construction) wherein the Government of India will provide the money and the executing agency will do the construction and will later hand over the project to the Government of India. Earlier it was supposed to be built under [[Public–private partnerships in India|PPP]] mode where private player was supposed to make the investment and later recover via toll but despite calling for bids five times since 2013, no bid came for one time and for the rest only a single private player showed interest; thus each time the bid was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/2017/06/05/work-on-zojila-pass-tunnel-in-jandk-to-commence-on-august-15-nhidcl-says|title=Work on Zojila Pass Tunnel in J&K To Commence on 15 August, NHIDCL Says |website=Bloombergquint.com|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref>

==Features==
* Its construction period will be five years because of a very difficult terrain where in some areas the temperature drops to -45 °C.
* The project aims at construction of a 14.2 km-long two-lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2 km-long egress tunnel. The western portal is at [[Baltal, Jammu and Kashmir|Baltal]] at about 3,000 m elevation (about 400 m lower than the elevation of the existing highway there), about 15 km east of [[Sonamarg|Sonmarg]]. The eastern portal after Zoji La is at Minamarg towards the [[Dras]]/Kargil end. The length of the tunnel does not include the lengths of the approach roads to both ends of the tunnel from the existing highway.
* Planned as a smart tunnel, it will have the latest safety features such as a fully transverse ventilation system, an uninterrupted power supply, emergency lighting, CCTV monitoring, variable message signs, traffic logging equipment and a tunnel radio system.
* The safety features will include emergency telephones and fire-fighting cabinets every 125 metres, pedestrian cross-passages every 250 metres and motorable cross-passages and lay-bys every 750 metres.
* The civil construction cost of the project is [[Indian rupee|₹]] 4,900 [[crore]]. The total capital cost of the project is ₹6,800 crore. It includes the cost of land, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as the maintenance and operation cost of the tunnel for four years.
* [[Indian Armed Forces|Defence forces]] have to face a hard time ensuring supplies to border posts during winters across Zoji La pass which is most strategic for the entire [[Kargil]] sector which has seen intrusion and war in the past. The tunnel will help keep the highway open for the entire year.
*Once the tunnel is completed, travel between [[Srinagar]] and [[Ladakh]] throughout the year will become possible.

==Status updates==
* '''Oct 2013:''' [[Union Council of Ministers|Cabinet]] approves the road tunnel project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/union-cabinet-approved-allweather-zojila-tunnel-project-1382079738-1|title=Union Cabinet approved all-weather Zoji-la Tunnel Project|date=18 October 2013|website=Jagranjosh.com|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref>
* '''May 2017:''' Four private players bid for the ₹10,000 crore project namely [[Larsen & Toubro]] (L&T), [[Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services|IL&FS]], [[Jaypee Group|Jaypee Infratech]] and [[Reliance Infrastructure]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/at-least-four-players-in-race-for-rs-10000-cr-zojila-tunnel/article9717938.ece|title=4 players in race for ₹10,000-cr Zojila tunnel|first=Ksenia|last=Kondratieva|date=1 June 2017|website=Thehindubusinessline.com|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref>
* '''Jun 2017:''' Contract to be awarded to the bidders by June end and work to start in August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2017/local-news/work-zoji-la-tunnel-begin-august-15-18818|title=Work on Zoji-la Tunnel to begin on August 15|date=6 June 2017|website=Kashmirobserver.net|access-date=6 June 2017}}</ref>
* '''Jul 2017:''' [[Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services|IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd]], the firm which developed [[Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel]] emerged as the lowest cost bidder for the tunnel. It quoted cost of {{INRConvert|4899|c|0}}, and a period of 7 years to construct tunnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/ilfs-wins-rs-4899-crore-zojila-tunnel-project-rebidding-736500|title=IL&FS bags Rs 4,899-crore Zojila tunnel project in rebidding|website=Ibtimes.co.in}}</ref>
* '''Jan 2018:''' Union Cabinet approves tunnel to be built at a cost of {{INRConvert|6809|c|0}} including land acquisition cost. Tunnel to be ready in five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/cabinet-approves-zojila-tunnel-rs-6809-cr-construction-7-yrs|title=Cabinet approves Zojila tunnel for Rs 6809 cr; construction in 5 yrs|website=Dailyexcelsior.com}}</ref>
* '''May 2018:''' Foundation stone laid by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and work starts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/roadways/zoji-la-tunnel-for-all-weather-kashmir-ladakh-road-pm-modi-to-lay-foundation-stone-of-big-infra-project/1169892/|title=Zoji La Tunnel for all-weather Kashmir-Ladakh road; PM Modi to lay foundation stone of big infra project|date=16 May 2018|website=Financialexpress|access-date=16 May 2018}}</ref>
* '''Mar 2019:''' The project is to be bid again as earlier developer [[Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services|IL&FS]] has gone bankrupt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-ilfs-hit-zojila-tunnel-project-goes-for-rebid-2726474|title=IL&FS-hit Zojila tunnel project goes for rebid|first=Ateeq|last=Shaikh|date=5 March 2019|website=DNA India}}</ref>
* '''Jun 2020:''' Fresh bids invited for construction of tunnel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/roadways/fresh-bids-invited-for-zojila-tunnel-ladakh-road/articleshow/76313138.cms|title=Fresh bids invited for Zojila Tunnel, Ladakh road|first=Aman|last=Sharma|via=The Economic Times}}</ref>
* '''Aug 2020:''' MEIL (Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd) emerges as lowest bidder for the tender with quoted price of ₹4509 crores.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/megha-engineering-lowest-bidder-for-zojila-tunnel-quotes-rs-4509-cr-for-project/articleshow/77677323.cms|title=Megha Engineering lowest bidder for Zojila tunnel, quotes Rs 4,509 cr for project|via=The Economic Times}}</ref> MEIL will construct the tunnel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/megha-engineering-company-to-build-zojila-pass-tunnel-project-876159.html|title=Megha Engineering company to build Zojila Pass tunnel project|date=21 August 2020|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/zojila-tunnel-project-awarded-to-hyderabad-based-megha-engineering/articleshow/77755618.cms|title=Zojila Tunnel project awarded to Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering|first=Nishtha|last=Saluja|via=The Economic Times}}</ref>
* '''Oct 2020:''' On 15 October 2020, Minister of Highways, [[Nitin Gadkari]] initiated the first blast for the all weather Zoji-la tunnel on NH1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gadkari-to-initiate-first-blasting-of-all-weather-zojila-tunnel-between-srinagar-and-leh/story-M1IzoZ93isMJjqgRP8C4YO.html|title=Gadkari to initiate first blasting of all-weather Zojila Tunnel between Srinagar and Leh|date=15 October 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> This marked the beginning of the construction of the tunnel. The event was attended by Union Ministers of State [[Jitendra Singh (politician, born 1956)|Jitendra Singh]] and [[V. K. Singh]]. The tunnel is expected to be completed by September 2026.
*'''Sep 2021:''' After an inspection by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, he sets a deadline for the tunnel to be completed by December 2023, much ahead of its original deadline of September 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zojila Tunnel Project will be completed by December 2023, earlier deadline 2026: Nitin Gadkari|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/zojila-tunnel-project-will-be-completed-by-dec-2023-earlier-deadline-2026-nitin-gadakari-7518491.html/amp|access-date=2021-09-29|website=www.moneycontrol.com}}</ref>
*'''Nov 2021:''' Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) completes the excavation work of tunnel 1 of the Zoji-la Tunnel.<ref>{{Cite web|agency=Press Trust of India|title=Excavation work of tunnel 1 of Zojila Tunnel project completed|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/front-page/excavation-work-of-tunnel-1-of-zojila-tunnel-project-completed|access-date=2021-11-24|website=Greater Kashmir|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Lists of tunnels]]
* [[Chattergala Tunnel]]
* [[Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel]] between Chenani and Nashri near [[Patnitop]] on [[National Highway 44 (India)|NH 44]] from Jammu to Srinagar
* [[Atal Tunnel]] under [[Rohtang Pass]]
* [[Z-Morh Tunnel]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Road tunnels in Ladakh]]
[[Category:Proposed road infrastructure in India]]
[[Category:Proposed road tunnels in Asia]]
[[Category:Transport in Kargil district]]

Zoji-la Tunnel - Revision history

->BattyBot: /* Status updates */Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes