Zojilla Pass project gets govt approval

In a significant move, the government on Wednesday approved the strategic Zojila Pass tunnel project in J& K to facilitate an all- weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, which remains cut- off from the rest of the world during winters due to heavy snowfall.

The Cabinet also approved the ` 5,369- crore Jal Vikas Marg Project for enhanced navigation on the Haldia- Varanasi stretch of National Waterway- 1 ( NW- 1).

Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar- Kargil- Leh national highway, which remains closed during winters ( December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh- Ladakh region from Kashmir.

“Cabinet approves Zojila tunnel project, Jal Vikas Marg project,” an official source said here after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IL& FS Transportation, last year in July, had said it has emerged as the lowest bidder for ` 4,899 crore Zojila Pass tunnel in J& K.

Agencies reported that in 2016, the road transport and highways ministry had ordered “rebidding” for the project awarded to IRB Infrastructure.

Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier said, “We understand the plight of the people in Leh and Ladakh region who face severe crisis during winters when they are cut off from the rest of India for six months. We are committed to undertaking the project,” agencies reported.

On March 1, 2016, the transport ministry had ordered “re- bidding” for the project.