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13.14 km Zojila Tunnel Breakthrough at 11,578 ft, Cost ₹6,800 Cr Under NHIDCL for All-weather Ladakh Connectivity

Target:UPSCMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
09 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:13.14 km₹6,800 crore11,578 ft2 hours to 30 minutes
Bodies:NHIDCLMEIL
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Zojila tunnel (13.14 km) breakthrough was achieved on June 9, 2026, costing ₹6,800 crore (vs ₹12,000 crore estimate).

2.It is the world's longest single-tube bidirectional road tunnel at an altitude of 11,578 ft (2,900m-3,310m), executed by MEIL for NHIDCL.

3.The project aims to be a game-changer for national security and integration by enabling faster military movement and boosting Ladakh's economy.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The breakthrough of the 13.14 km Zojila tunnel, built at a cost of ₹6,800 crore, marks a critical infrastructure milestone for Ladakh. It will provide year-round connectivity between Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh, drastically reducing travel time and bolstering strategic military logistics.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Tunnel Length13.14 km
Altitude11,578 ft / 2,900m-3,310m
Final Cost₹6,800 crore
Executing AgencyMEIL for NHIDCL
Travel Time Reduction2 hours to 30 minutes

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Tunnel Length: 13.14 km
  • ›Altitude: 11,578 ft / 2,900m-3,310m
  • ›Target this Data: 13.14 km length & ₹6,800 crore cost
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL)
  • ›Target this Geographical Feature: World's longest single-tube bidirectional road tunnel at 11,578 ft

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which government-owned corporation is responsible for overseeing the development of the Zojila tunnel project?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Zojila tunnel:

1. It is the world's longest single-tube bidirectional road tunnel at an altitude of 11,578 feet.

2. The project was completed at a cost of ₹12,000 crore, matching its initial estimate.

3. The tunnel will reduce travel time between Sonamarg and Minamarg from approximately two hours to just 30 minutes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the exact length of the Zojila tunnel as mentioned in the article?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is described as the primary strategic benefit of the Zojila tunnel in the article?

All 15 MCQs ▸
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