Srinagar, April 10 (KNS): The construction of the Zojila tunnel, a crucial infrastructure project in Kashmir, is set to revolutionize connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and Kanniyakumari, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on. Monday.
He also said that the project aims to create all-weather hassle-free connectivity, and with its completion, it will bring the people of Jammu and Kashmir closer to the rest of the country like never before.
Gadkari also said that 14 tunnels are being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 35,000 crores, and the construction work of the 13.14 km long Zojila tunnel and its approach road is already in progress. "The latest report reveals that 38% of the work is complete, and the project is expected to be finished in the next three to four years," he added.
He further said that the Zojila tunnel, which is situated at an altitude of 11,578 ft above sea level, is a strategic passageway that connects Srinagar to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. The tunnel will provide a year-round connection between the two regions, which remain cut off from each other for several months in a year due to snowfall and other natural calamities, the minister added.
He also said that the tunnel project is not only significant in terms of connectivity but also in terms of job creation and economic growth.
The construction of the tunnel, he said has generated employment opportunities for thousands of people, and the completed project will help in boosting tourism and trade in the region. "The Union Minister has also announced that the roads of Jammu and Kashmir will be made equivalent to American roads, which will further enhance the region's connectivity and economic growth," he added.
The project, he said is a significant milestone for India's infrastructure development, and its completion will undoubtedly be a game-changer for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the country as a whole. "We look forward to witnessing the progress of this project and its impact on the region's economy and society," he said.(KNS)