[VIDEO] How India is Building a Tunnel in the World’s Highest Mountain Range

Thousands of workers are battling the elements to build India’s longest tunnel in the Himalayas. The Zojila Tunnel is planned to be constructed through Zojila Pass, which is situated at an altitude of around 11,578 feet (3,528 meters) above sea level. The pass is known for its challenging terrain and heavy snowfall which make it difficult to maintain road connectivity during the winter months.

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The tunnel aims to provide all-season travel between Srinagar and Leh, two important cities in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir—right in the center of some of the best yet most unchartered ski terrain on the planet. It will ensure the year-round movement of people and goods through the region as they will no longer have to deal with snow-related road closures. The Zojila Tunnel also serves a strategic purpose as it could provide an advantage for India in the country’s ongoing conflict with China.