ZOJILA TUNNEL’S PROJECT
Zoji La Tunnel is a 14.2 km long road tunnel under Zoji La pass in the Himalayas between Sonmarg and Drass town in Kargil district of the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh currently under construction. The tunnel along with 6.5 km long Z-Morh Tunnel, (which is 22 km before Zoji La tunnel towards Srinagar) will ensure year-long 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 a high altitude on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway.
BACKGROUND OF ZOJI LA PROJECT
The project was first introduced in the year 2005 but was dropped. In 2013, BRO prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on BOT mode. 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 Narendra Modi in May 2018. 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 PPP mode where the private players were supposed to make the investment, but the project was terminated on July 15, 2019. This was because IL&FS (the tender was given to this company) firm witnessed financial problems. In February 2020, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reviewed the project again. Several meetings were held with the tunnel experts and stakeholders to reduce the cost of the project and to execute it on priority. On May 17, 2020, a report was submitted to the Government and on May 23, 2020, the project was given a nod.
KEY FEATURES OF THE TUNNEL
The 14.15 km long tunnel will connect Srinagar Valley and Leh on NH-1 with approach road to Z-morh tunnel and avalanche protection structures. It will be built at an altitude of about 3000 metres under Zojila pass. At present, the pass can be accessed for only 6 months in a year.
The approach road of 18 km starts from the end of Z-morh tunnel and ends at the start of the Zojila tunnel. The avalanche protection structures include catch dams, snow galleries, cut and cover, dam, etc. to make the tunnel an-all weather one. The pass connects Leh and Srinagar, providing connectivity between UTs of Ladakh and Kashmir.
It is Asia's longest and strategic bi-directional tunnel, providing all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. Currently, it is regarded as one of the dangerous stretches in the world to drive a vehicle. It remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall. The total cost of the project is Rs. 10, 643 crores.
SAFETY SYSTEMS OF THE TUNNEL
Emergency lay-bys will be located at intervals of 750 m on both sides of the carriageway. Manual fire alarm push buttons and portable fire extinguishers will be located at the disposal of all drivers. Telephones will be installed at the emergency niches. Fire Hydrants and Hydrant Niches, Fire Extinguishers will be installed. Tunnel Lighting Systems: Entrance lighting, Interior lighting and lay-bys lighting. CCTV cameras will be installed on the tunnel wall. Fire alarm system, automatic fire detection and suppression system in the tunnel.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ZOJI LA TUNNEL
It will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions as these regions remain cut from the rest of the country for six months due to heavy snowfall in winters. It will be a landmark achievement in the history of India as since 30 years people of these regions are demanding for the tunnel.
The travel on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 will be avalanches free. It will reduce the travel time from more than 3 hours to 15 minutes. The construction of the tunnel will bring in the employment for the local people. The tunnel is of strategic importance from the Defence point of view. Presently, many massive military activities are going on along the borders of these regions.
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 army and the Ladakhi people as the pass is close to LOC and vulnerable to hostile actions by terrorists. Zoji La was re-captured from Pakistani raiders under Operation Bison.
QUESTIONS (1-5)
Q.1 Zoji La Tunnel is a long road tunnel under Zoji La pass in the Himalayas between Sonmarg and Drass town in Kargil district of _________?
A. Jammu & Kashmir
B. Himachal Pradesh
C. Ladakh: ANSWER
D. Uttarakhand
Q.2 Recently which of the following Union Ministers has given the nod to start the construction of the 'Zoji La project'?
A. Rajnath Singh
B. Nirmala Sitharaman
C. Nitin Gadkari: ANSWER
D. S. Jaishankar
Q.3 The project to build a tunnel at the Zoji La pass was first introduced in which of the following years under the Prime Ministership of Dr. Manmohan Singh?
A. 2004
B. 2005: ANSWER
C. 2006
D. 2008
Q.4 Which of the following statements is/are true about the features & significance of the Zoji La Tunnel?
A. The Tunnel is 14.15 km long tunnel.
B. It will connect Srinagar Valley and Leh to Z-morh tunnel.
C. The travel on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh will be avalanches free & will reduce the travel time from 3 hours to 15 minutes.
D. All of the above: ANSWER
Q.5 Consider the following statements about the Zoji La Tunnel and answer which of the following is true?
A. It is Asia's longest and strategic bi-directional Tunnel: ANSWER
B. It is the world's longest highway Tunnel.
C. It is the world's longest railway Tunnel.
D. None of the above
