BackECONOMY
Zoji La tunnel: 300 metres left; completion expected in May 2026
Work on the Zoji La tunnel is in its final phase with about 300 metres of excavation remaining. The 14.15-km tube is expected to be completed in May 2026 and will become India's longest road tunnel, providing an all-weather link between Kashmir and Ladakh.
Why It Matters
The tunnel will enable year-round movement along NH-1 for defense logistics and is expected to boost economy, tourism, and regional integration between Kashmir and Ladakh.
Timeline
4 Events
Final excavation nearing completion; 300 metres remaining
April 21, 2026
As of April 21, 2026, only about 300 metres of excavation remain before the two tunnel sections connect. The 14.15-km tube is expected to be completed in May 2026, after which the two-lane tunnel will become India’s longest road tunnel and provide an all-weather corridor between Ganderbal in Kashmir and Drass in Ladakh.
Ladakh lieutenant governor VK Saxena visits Zoji La site
April 14, 2026
Ladakh lieutenant governor VK Saxena visited the Zoji La site for a high-level inspection and a briefing on the final stages of excavation.
Avalanche at Dayal Slide zone (Dayal Slide avalanche)
March 2026
An avalanche at the Dayal Slide zone in March 2026 claimed seven lives, underscoring the urgency of completing the Zoji La tunnel.
Inauguration of the Z-Morh Tunnel (2025)
2025
The article notes that the 6.5-km Z-Morh Tunnel was inaugurated in 2025, cited as a precedent for year-round connectivity that informs the Zoji La project.