NEW DELHI: At a time when troops are involved in a clash in eastern Ladakh and the government is propping up border infrastructure, the minister of road transport and highways Nitin gadkari has presented a plan to build half a dozen new tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh who would assist in the movement of troops and reinforcements. The works of these tunnels and some highway projects will begin in the next two years.
Initiating the ceremonial blasting of the Zojila tunnel in J&K via videoconference, Gadkari said that detailed project reports (DPR) of the 10.2 km Singpora-Vailoo tunnel on the Kishtwar-Anantnag highway, two tunnels totaling 8 km in the stretch Sudhmahadev-Goha-Khelani, a 2.4 km tunnel has been prepared on the Khelani bypass in J&K.
Similarly, four main tunnels with a combined length of almost 45 km have been planned in Manali-Leh. These include a 12.7 km tunnel at Shinkun La and three more at Lachung La (12 km), Taglang La (10 km) and Baralacha-La (10 km). The construction of these tunnels will make the connectivity between Manali and Leh seamless throughout the year. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Atal Tunnel on this section.
Officials from NHIDCL, a company under the Ministry of Highway Transport and Highways, said they were conducting an aerial electromagnetic survey using specialized helicopters through these difficult terrain. Road Transport Secretary Girdhar Aramane said the DPR of the crucial Sinkhun La The tunnel will be ready next month and works will begin soon.
Meanwhile, highlighting the savings of around 4 billion rupees by remodeling the 14.15 km Zojila Tunnel, Gadkari said this shows how the Narendra Modi government has set an example. “Political leaders, officials and the government are often blamed for escalating project costs and there is corruption. I am happy to have saved more than 4 billion rupees on this project. This has happened under our government, ”he said.
Gadkari said that the changes made to the project do not compromise the security features.
The minister also said that the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Greenfield Expressway at a cost of Rs 21,000 crore will also start at the end of this year, which will reduce the distance to only 650 km and people can travel this distance in eight hours.
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