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| From Iran to Zojila: Eng Yusuf’s decade-long journey culminates in historic tunnel breakthrough | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, June 9: For Yusuf S. Haghpur Rahimabadi, the historic breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel on Tuesday was more than just an engineering milestone—it was the culmination of a decade of hard work, perseverance and commitment to one of India’s most challenging infrastructure projects.
An Iranian national serving as the authority engineer for the strategically important Zojila Tunnel project, Yusuf described the breakthrough as one of the proudest moments of his professional career spanning more than three decades.
The tunnel achieved a major milestone on Tuesday when excavation teams successfully connected the sections being dug from the Baltal side in Kashmir and the Minamarg side in the Drass-Kargil region of Ladakh. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha witnessed the ceremonial breakthrough from the Kargil side.
Speaking after the achievement, Yusuf said the Zojila Tunnel was the most challenging project he had ever worked on despite having been involved in several major infrastructure projects across different countries.
“I have worked on many difficult projects in several countries, but Zojila has been the toughest because of its terrain, geology and extreme weather conditions. That is why I feel especially proud to be associated with this project,” he said.
Having spent more than ten years on the project, Yusuf has witnessed every stage of its construction amid some of the harshest working conditions in the Himalayas. Built at an altitude of over 11,500 feet, the tunnel passes through a region known for heavy snowfall, landslides, and difficult geological formations.
What makes Yusuf's story even more remarkable is that he continued to work on the project despite turmoil in his homeland. At a time when parts of Iran were facing conflict and infrastructure damage, including the destruction of bridges and other public assets, he remained focused on helping build one of India’s most ambitious road connectivity projects.
Reflecting on that period, Yusuf said engineers play a role comparable to that of soldiers in nation-building.
“Engineers are also soldiers. While soldiers defend borders, engineers build the infrastructure that strengthens nations and improves people's lives. That belief kept me motivated to continue working on this project,” he said.
Yusuf, who married in India and has spent a significant part of his professional life in the country, said he considers India his second home and often describes himself as “Indo-Iranian.”
The breakthrough of the 13.15-kilometre Zojila Tunnel is being hailed as a transformative development for the region. Once completed, the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, reducing travel time across the Zojila Pass from more than an hour to about 15 minutes and ensuring year-round access to the remote region.
For Yusuf, however, the achievement carries a more personal significance.
“After ten years of effort, seeing the two ends of the tunnel finally meet is a dream come true. It is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life,” he said.
The breakthrough marks a major step towards the completion of a project that is expected to revolutionise connectivity, strengthen strategic mobility, and unlock new economic opportunities for Ladakh and the wider Himalayan region. |
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