The tunnel will reportedly run for around 14km and cost around USD 1.5bn. Previously it has been hard to attract bids on the project. The project is remote and extremely exposed to the elements, being at an altitude of 3,500m above sea level.
The mountain pass connects Sonamarg in the Kashmir valley with Drass and is crucial for maintaining supplies to armed forces stationed all in the disputed region, as well as the civilian population of Ladakh. The pass remains snowbound for more than five months in a year.
