NHAI starts re-bidding of 14.2 km Zojila tunnel

Shortly after the defence ministry approval for keeping the Srinagar-Kargil highway open during winters, the National Highways Authority of India has engaged NIHDCL, an arm of the Union transport ministry, for the rebidding process of the tunnel. It may be recalled that the Centre scrapped an earlier contract awarded to the crisis-hit Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS). The Union Government has already approved Zojila tunnel to be funded under ₹80,000 crore Prime Minister's Development Package, but due to the delay, the project is facing cost escalation of ₹1,600 crore. The project cost for the 14.2 km tunnel was estimated at ₹6,800 crore. The UT administration of Ladakh has issued directions to the R&B department in this regard. The proposal of the Ladakh Rescue Centre for keeping open Zojila (30 km) has got approval of the Ministry of Defence. In fact, keeping Zojila Pass open during winter months is a Herculean task for the administration as the season has been experiencing the highest precipitation level since 1986.