With the military confrontation with China in Ladakh putting extra pressure on mobilisation of men and machinery in the past two years, around 1,000 workers this winter stayed put in snow-bound Sonamarg in central Kashmir to reduce the deadline by two years to have an all-weather connectivity with Ladakh through 18-km long multiple tunnels to the cross treacherous Zojila mountain pass.
With the backdrop still covered with snow, Harpal Singh, project in-charge of the Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. (MEIL), exuded confidence about the opening of the Zojila tunnel for defence forces by 2024 and emergency services, two years ahead of the 2026 deadline. This will ensure that the mobilisation of the Army and machines to the strategic cold desert is no longer affected due to five to six months of closure caused by snowfall.
"We are increasing the strength of workers from 1,000, who worked all through the tough winter period, to 2,500 in the summer. There is a long border with Pakistan and China in this region. This tunnel will provide an all-weather link with Ladakh and help Army to defend and safeguard the motherland better, given the confrontation on the borders," Mr. Singh said.
