In order to provide all-weather connectivity to people in the Leh-Ladakh region, the Indian government is building the longest road tunnel in Southeast Asia, the Zojila pass. This is a Rs. 10,000-crore project and has multiple crucial implications.
Every year during winter, from December to April, heavy snowfall and avalanches force authorities to close the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway. The Zojila pass is located at an altitude of 11,516 feet and is a crucial gateway to the region.
The people of Ladakh face several problems during winter each year. With the national highway closed due to safety concerns, prices of vegetables and other basic commodities shoot up in the region during winter. The price of vegetables like potatoes touches Rs. 450 per kg at times. Moreover, traveling to and from the region becomes a near-to-impossible task with the highway closed for weeks.
However, with the construction of the all-weather Zojila pass, the situation will change. The Zojila pass tunnel will stretch beyond 9 km, and will become India’s longest road tunnel, upon completion.
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Besides providing all-weather connectivity to the people, the Zojila pass will also provide a major boost to trade and commerce in the region. Economic growth will receive some fresh impetus and dependency on national highways will be less. As a result, despite heavy snow and even avalanches in the region, flow of vehicles will not be hindered.
Harsh winters make life difficult for the people of Leh-Ladakh. Seasonal inflation affects the region and lack of connectivity further worsens the situation. The project was scheduled to be completed by March this year, but there's likely to be some delay. Once the Zojila pass is up and running, it will reduce the distance between Jammu and Kashmir regions by as much as 90 km.
Apart from this, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) plans to build five more tunnels to interlink different parts of the region which are inaccessible during winters. The commendable efforts of the government, to overcome challenges arising out of extreme weather conditions will ease out journeys to the region, and will surely prove to be crucial in matters of urgency.
(Featured Image Credit: indiatimes.com)
