Excelsior Correspondent
Leh, Dec 30: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, today held a meeting to review the status of the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and finalise the alignment of five tunnels across major mountain passes in Ladakh, viz. Key La, Khardung La, Fotu La, Namika La and Hamboting La.
Managing Director, NHIDCL, Chanchal Kumar; Commissioner/Secretary, PW(R&B), Ajeet Kumar Sahu; Additional Director-General, Border Roads Organisation (BRO); Deputy Commissioners of Leh & Kargil; DDG BRO along with Chief Engineers of Project Himank and Project Vijayak; Chief Engineer, PW(R&B), Tashi Chombel; officials from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and RITES and other consultants were present in the meeting.
LG Mathur emphasised that the all-weather tunnels on the mountain passes should be operational throughout the year. He inquired about the involvement of civil and mechanical works in reducing O&M works such as the clearance of snow on the mountain passes. He stressed the need to include additional costs such as the construction of bridges or shelters to the overall project cost to arrive at a clear picture.
LG Mathur emphasised that the construction of the Fotu-La and Namika-La should reduce the time and distance between the two districts. He stated that other interventions, wherever possible, should be made to further reduce the travel distance between the two districts.
Emphasising the need for utilising green energy during the construction of the tunnels, LG Mathur instructed that there should be minimal impact on the environment even during the construction of these tunnels. He asked the consultants to submit the DPRs in a time-bound manner for further action on the approval and construction of the tunnels.
Earlier, officials from RITES and other Consultants gave a detailed presentation on the alignment criteria, alignment study, alignment options, alignment comparison, the need for the requirement for the tunnel, etc.
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