Work on 6 new tunnels in J&K and Ladakh to start in next 2 years: Gadkari

NEW DELHI: At a time when troops are engaged in a confrontation in eastern Ladakh and the government is shoring up border infrastructure, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has unveiled a plan to construct half a dozen new tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that would help in movement of troops and reinforcements. The works of these tunnels and a few highway projects will start in the next two years.
While initiating the ceremonial blasting for Zojila Tunnel in J&K through video conferencing, Gadkari said the detailed project reports (DPRs) of 10.2 km Singpora-Vailoo tunnel on Kishtwar-Anantnag road, two tunnels totalling 8 km on Sudhmahadev-Goha-Khelani stretch, a 2.4 km tunnel at Khelani bypass in J&K have been prepared.
Similarly, four major tunnels with combined length of nearly 45 km on Manali-Leh have been planned. 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 round the year. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Atal Tunnel on this stretch.
Officials of the NHIDCL, a company under the road transport and highways ministry, said they were conducting air-borne electromagnetic survey using specialised helicopters through these tough terrains. Road transport secretary, Girdhar Aramane said the DPR of the crucial Sinkhun La tunnel will be ready next month and work would start soon.
Meanwhile, highlighting the saving of around Rs 4,000 crore by reworking the 14.15 km Zojila tunnel, Gadkari said this proved how the Narendra Modi government has set an example. “Political leaders, officers and government are often blamed for cost escalation of projects and there is corruption. I am happy that we have saved over Rs 4,000 crore in this project. This has happened under our government,” he said.
Gadkari said that the changes made in the project did not compromise with the safety features.
The minister also said the construction of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Greenfield Expressway at a cost of Rs 21,000 crore will also start by this year end, which will reduce the distance to only 650 km and people can travel this distance in eight hours.