Uncertainty over Zojila tunnel

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: Uncertainty is looming large over the construction of Zojila tunnel on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway, which otherwise is imperative to ensure round the year road connectivity to the entire Ladakh region.
Following approval of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the construction of tunnel at Zojila Pass on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Highway was entrusted to National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
“The bids for the project were invited fourth time but there was no response even after extending the bid due date two times”, revealed the Minister Incharge Public Works Department in response to the question of Kargil MLA Asgar Ali Karbalaie in the Legislative Assembly.
He further said that Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has now approved change of mode of project delivery from Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode to Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode.
“Revised cost estimates for construction of tunnel have accordingly been submitted by NHIDCL to the Ministry for approval and fresh bids will be invited by NHIDCL after the Ministry approves the revised estimates”, the Minister said.

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