* Z-Morh, Zojila Tunnel get maximum allocation
Neeraj Rohmetra
Jammu, July 6: To fast track the development in the border State, the Union Ministry for Road, Transport and Highways has included several strategic roads in its package worth Rs 20,000 crores, which was cleared about a fortnight back in a high level meeting in New Delhi. The proposal would entail 2-laning and 4-laning of various stretches along the National Highway, which is lifeline of the State.
Besides, the package involved funding of the prestigious Z-Morh and Zojila Tunnel located on 1D. The importance being given to these strategic projects, which would ensure all-weather connectivity to land-locked region can be gauged from the fact that more than 50% of the funds sanctioned in the package would be utilized in these two Tunnel projects.
Official documents available with EXCELSIOR state, “funds worth Rs 9090 crores have been sanctioned for the construction of the prestigious Zojila Tunnel while as Rs 2780 crores of funds have been earmarked for the Z-Morh Tunnel”.
“Central Government is very keen to upgrade the entire road infrastructure in the vicinity of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in view of tough posturing by China for the past some time. All resources at the disposal of Government will be utilized to ensure timely completion of these projects”, sources asserted.
“Leh is connected to the mainland via the Jammu-Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil-Leh and Manali-Sarchu- Leh route. This is the only life-line, not only for the strategic interest of the Indian Army, but also for the survival of the people of Ladakh and their socio-economic development”, says the document adding, “but these routes remain completely cut-off for six to eleven months during winter (November to May), due to heavy snowfall and avalanche prone areas, on both sides of route”.
The Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways is responsible for the development and maintenance of Jammu-Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil-Leh stretch of National Highway and the implementing agency is Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
“Rs 9090 crores have been allocated for construction of two-lane Zojila Tunnel of 14.083 km length on NH-1D on Built,Operate,Transfer (BOT) annuity basis”, sources explained adding, “Rs 2780 crores have been sanctioned for the construction of 6.50 Kms long two land bi-directionaltunnel on a new alignment between Gagangir and Sonamarg, along the existing NH-1 at Z-Morh”. The construction of the Zojila Tunnel in continuation of Z-Morh Tunnel is necessary in order to establish all weather connectivity to Kargil and Leh.
The official document has also stated that funds have been earmarked for the 4-laning of the Srinagar-Banihal road (Banihal bypass) and Qazigund-Banihal tunnel. About Rs 1987 crore have been sanctioned for the Qazigund to Banihal tunnel portion and Rs 1100 crore are being provided for the 4-laning of 67.76 Km Srinagar- Banihal stretch of the National Highway.
“The four-laning of Qazigud to Banihal section of NH from189.350 Km to 204.700 Km will reduce the distance between Banihal and Srinagar by 16 Kms thus giving a saving of about Rs 27 crores per year on vehicle operation cost for the present day truck traffic only. Besides, this travel time will be also be reduced by about two hours”, sources said adding, “the project would help to make it an all-weather road , which otherwise remains closed for over 50 days in a year with continuous maintenance”.
The document further added that Rs 2159 crore had been allocated to renovate and widen the Chenani to Nashri Section of NH-1A, which includes new alignment from 89Km to 130 km including a 12 km long two-lane tunnel with a parallel escape tunnel. “The reason for high cost on this stretch is the massive investment required for drilling inthe Himalayan range for the tunnel, movement of machinery, ensuring safety of workers both due to terrain and lawn and order situation”, sources said.
“Funds have also been allocated to provide better connectivity between Jammu and Udhampur through 65 Km four-lane highway with about four tunnels at various stretches and Rs 1813.76 crore have been allocated for the completion of this 65 Km stretch”, says the document.
According to the document, “the expansion work on the 36-km Ramban-Banihal and 43-km Ramban-Udhampur stretches will be done under Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) model. About Rs 1100 crore have been allocated for Ramban-Banihal stretch while have Rs 1000 crores are being provided for Udhampur-Ramban link on EPC basis”.
Follow our WhatsApp channel