Enhanced connectivity to boost tourism, livelihoods and year-round access to border regions, says Lieutenant Governor
LEH, June 9: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday described the breakthrough of the strategically significant Zoji La Tunnel as a transformative milestone for the Union Territory, saying the project will revolutionise connectivity and accelerate Ladakh’s developmental journey.
Reacting to the successful breakthrough of the tunnel, Saxena termed the project a dream initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said it would provide uninterrupted connectivity between Ladakh and the rest of the country throughout the year.
“The historic breakthrough of Zoji La Tunnel, a dream project of the Prime Minister, will prove to be a game changer in the development journey of Ladakh. It will significantly strengthen connectivity in the border regions of Ladakh and provide year-round connectivity with the rest of India,” the Lieutenant Governor said in a post on X.
The breakthrough marks a major milestone in the construction of the high-altitude tunnel that will ensure all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh by bypassing the snow-bound Zoji La Pass, which remains closed for several months every year due to harsh winter conditions.
Responding to a post by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who described the breakthrough as a significant chapter in India’s infrastructure development and a key step towards ensuring all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Saxena expressed gratitude for the Centre’s support.
He thanked Gadkari for making the ambitious project a reality and for extending continued support to Ladakh through major road infrastructure initiatives.
The Lieutenant Governor said improved connectivity would have far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the region, including a boost to tourism, enhanced trade opportunities and the creation of new livelihood avenues for local residents.
“Enhanced connectivity will strengthen tourism, generate employment opportunities and support our collective efforts towards sustainable development in the high-altitude regions of Ladakh,” he said.
The Zoji La Tunnel, one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Kashmir and Ladakh while improving civilian movement, logistics and strategic access to border areas.
Once operational, the tunnel will provide a reliable all-weather link to Ladakh, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even during the harsh winter months when the Zoji La Pass remains inaccessible due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
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