Srinagar, Jun 09 (KNO): Beneath the snow-bound mountains of Zojila, an engineer from Iran found himself celebrating a breakthrough that felt as personal as it was historic.
As India’s longest road tunnel inches closer to completion, Yusuf, an Iranian engineer who has played a key role in constructing the strategically significant Zojila Tunnel, sees it as more than a feat of engineering in the Himalayas.
Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) at the breakthrough ceremony, the Iranian engineer said he sees the development a bridge between two homes, and a future where Kashmir and Ladakh remain connected through every season.
Expressing pride over the successful breakthrough of the country’s longest road tunnel, he described India as his “second home”.
Yusuf, who serves as the Authority Engineer for the Zojila Project representing Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats (ICT), an Aryaa International Alliance Pvt Ltd (AIAPL) Joint Venture, said the achievement marks a major milestone in one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
“I’m from Iran, and I’m proud of it. At the same time, India has become my second home. I’m happy to be part of this historic project,” he said.
According to Yusuf, nearly 80 percent of the tunnel construction work has been completed, while the remaining work is expected to take another two to two-and-a-half years before the tunnel is fully operational.
He said the breakthrough represents a significant engineering achievement and reflects the collective efforts of all agencies involved in executing the project under challenging geographical and climatic conditions.
“We are pleased that the project has progressed successfully,” he said.
Yusuf said that though the tunnel is not yet ready for regular public use, it could potentially be utilised in emergency situations if required.
The Zojila Tunnel is a landmark infrastructure project being constructed beneath the Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.
Stretching about 14 km between Baltal in Kashmir and Minamarg in Ladakh, it is designed to provide all-weather connectivity to the Union Territory of Ladakh, which often remains cut off during winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
Once operational, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time across the pass from more than three hours to around 15 to 20 minutes, improving civilian movement, trade, tourism and strategic connectivity.
The project is also expected to strengthen year-round access to remote border areas while boosting economic activity across the wider Himalayan region.
The breakthrough achieved on Tuesday marks the completion of the tunnel’s excavation phase, a major engineering milestone in one of India’s most challenging high-altitude infrastructure projects—(KNO)