A 14-wheeler trailer truck plunged into a 400-ft-deep gorge near Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway on Friday, 29 May, after reportedly losing control near Pani Matha in the Zojila sector. In what officials and locals described as a miraculous escape, both the driver and the helper survived the fall, though the vehicle was completely destroyed.

How the Accident Unfolded

The truck, bearing registration number JK01BC/2359, was travelling from Sonamarg to Kargil when it reportedly skidded off the road and plummeted into the gorge. The precise cause of the loss of control is under investigation by police and local authorities, who reached the site shortly after the incident.

Both occupants were subsequently shifted to the Primary Health Centre, Sonamarg, for medical assessment. Officials were examining the circumstances leading to the crash at the time of reporting.

A Highway Known for Danger

The Srinagar-Leh Highway is a strategically critical artery connecting Jammu and Kashmir to Ladakh, but it is equally notorious for sharp curves, steep gradients, and unpredictable high-altitude weather. The Zojila axis — operational only during certain months of the year — sees heavy traffic movement during its seasonal window, and road safety incidents are a recurring concern for commuters and transport operators alike.

Friday's accident has renewed anxiety among those who regularly use the route, particularly heavy vehicle operators navigating the demanding terrain.

The Zojila Tunnel: Relief on the Horizon

To address the chronic vulnerability of this stretch, a major infrastructure project is underway. The Zojila Tunnel — a horseshoe-shaped, single-tube, 2-lane road tunnel — is being constructed to make the Srinagar-Leh highway an all-weather corridor. The tunnel will be 14.2 km long, 9.5 m wide, and 7.57 m high, situated at approximately 12,000 feet above sea level, and is likely to become operational by 2028.

Together with the adjacent Z-Morh Tunnel, it will provide year-round, weather-proof connectivity to Ladakh and to the Amarnath Yatra base camp at Baltal. Upon completion, it is expected to become the longest road tunnel in Asia.

Broader Infrastructure Push

The Zojila Tunnel is part of a larger programme of 31 road tunnels — 20 in Jammu and Kashmir and 11 in Ladakh — being constructed at a combined cost of ₹1,400 billion. Authorities say the project will boost tourism, strengthen the regional economy, and enhance logistics for the armed forces operating in the high-altitude region.

Until that connectivity is secured, however, Friday's near-fatal accident is a stark reminder of the risks that drivers and passengers face on one of India's most treacherous mountain highways.