How is SAIL Strengthening the Zojila Tunnel with Steel?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- SAIL supplies over 31,000 tonnes of steel for Zojila Tunnel.
- Project expected to complete by 2027.
- Located at an altitude of 11,578 feet.
- Enhances connectivity between Srinagar and Leh.
- Part of India's national infrastructure strategy.
New Delhi, July 21 (NationPress) The Maharatna public sector enterprise Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) announced on Monday that it has become the leading steel provider for the significant Zojila Tunnel project. This ambitious undertaking, currently underway, is anticipated to be India's longest road tunnel and Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel.
SAIL has established itself as a vital collaborator for this key infrastructural endeavor, having delivered over 31,000 tonnes of steel, which includes TMT re-bars, structural elements, and plates. The company is actively ensuring a consistent supply of steel as the project moves towards its 2027 completion deadline, as detailed in a statement from SAIL.
Positioned at an altitude of 11,578 feet, the tunnel is being constructed amidst the challenging Himalayan landscape. Spanning over 30 kilometers, it will provide essential all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh, passing through Dras and Kargil. This tunnel is a significant component of India's national infrastructure, particularly the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway, and will greatly improve both civilian and military mobility in the region.
“Our involvement in the Zojila Tunnel further strengthens SAIL's enduring legacy of contributing to nation-building. Major projects like this consistently rely on the reliability and strength of SAIL's steel, highlighting the company’s commitment to quality and its essential role in shaping India's future,” the statement noted.
This initiative not only serves as a strategic infrastructure asset but also presents a considerable economic opportunity for the region. SAIL's participation in the Zojila Tunnel complements its extensive legacy of supporting iconic infrastructure projects across India, such as the Chenab Railway Bridge, Atal Tunnel, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, and the Dhola Sadiya and Bogibeel bridges, the statement added.
For the January-March quarter of 2024-25, SAIL reported a standalone net profit of Rs 1,178 crore, reflecting a 16.5 percent increase from Rs 1,011 crore in the same quarter last year.
The company has recommended a final dividend of Rs. 1.60 per share (with a face value of Rs. 10 per share). SAIL’s revenue from operations rose to Rs 29,316 crore in the fourth quarter of 2024-25, marking a 4.9 percent increase from Rs 27,958 crore in the same quarter last year.