M A I N   N E W S

Govt plans Zojila tunnel
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 16
The Ministry of Defence is considering the idea of having a tunnel at the Zojila Pass on the 475-km Srinagar-Leh road. The pass is a vital link between the Kashmir valley and Ladakh.

The pass, at 11,500 feet, connects Sonamarg in the Kashmir valley with Drass and is crucial for maintaining supplies for the forces stationed all along the Line of Control (LoC) and also the civilian population of Ladakh. The pass remains snow-bound for more than five months in a year.

Defence Minister AK Antony told Parliament today that a feasibility study was on to have a tunnel at the Zojila Pass. A consultancy contract had been awarded and a time frame of 18 months given to the consultant, he added.

The Srinagar-Leh route allows easier operations as compared with the Manali-Leh highway that has three passes - Rohtang, Baralacha and Tanglang-La - which are at a greater height than the Zojila and remain snow-bound for a longer period.

Antony also said that the Srinagar-Leh road was being strengthened and upgraded. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had been entrusted with the construction of the 200-km stretch of the Zojila-Fotula highway. It would be completed by 2012.