Minamarg, Jun 9: Among the team of engineers working in the harsh, high-altitude conditions of the Zojila Tunnel, Yusuf Eshaghpour, a tunnel and geotechnical expert from Iran, has emerged as a key figure behind the project’s technical execution.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Yusuf said that he was working on the Zojila Tunnel project since 2022 and calls India his second home.
“Our job is to supervise, check, and design the tunnel work.
I have worked on various tunnel projects but find this one challenging given it’s geographical and climatic aspects,” Yusuf said.
"Zojila Tunnel is an iconic project and a matter of country's pride, The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh,” Yusuf said.
Minamarg, Jun 9: Among the team of engineers working in the harsh, high-altitude conditions of the Zojila Tunnel, Yusuf Eshaghpour, a tunnel and geotechnical expert from Iran, has emerged as a key figure behind the project’s technical execution.
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Eshaghpour, also known as Engineer Yusuf, serving as the Authority Engineer for the project, who has played a major role in its construction, celebrated the project's historic breakthrough.
Yusuf, whose country is in the middle of a protracted conflict with Israel and the United States, represents Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats (ICT) as the Authority Engineer.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Yusuf said that he was working on the Zojila Tunnel project since 2022 and calls India his second home.
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“I am from Iran and married in India. I have been working here for the last 5 years. So, I call India my second home,” he said.
Yusuf views the tunnel not just as an engineering marvel, but as a vital bridge connecting Kashmir and Ladakh through every season.
He called the Zojila Tunnel an iconic project.
“Our job is to supervise, check, and design the tunnel work. I have worked on various tunnel projects but find this one challenging given it’s geographical and climatic aspects,” Yusuf said.
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However, he was quick to add that the work had been carried very cautiously and once fully operational, the 13.15 km bi-directional road tunnel would slash travel time across the Zojila Pass.
"Zojila Tunnel is an iconic project and a matter of country's pride, The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh,” Yusuf said.
He was instrumental in designing the three 500 metre-deep vertical shafts, critical for ventilation and emergency evacuation at 11,500 ft.
Yusuf said the tunnel would not only improve connectivity but also enhance the lives of people in the region by ensuring uninterrupted transportation throughout the year.
He said nearly 75 percent of the tunnel construction work had been completed, while the remaining work was expected to take another two to two-and-a-half years before the tunnel is fully operational.
Yusuf said the breakthrough represents a significant engineering achievement and reflects the collective efforts of all agencies involved in executing the project under challenging geographical and climatic conditions.
