‘Land issue major cause behind delay’
Will shorten distance by nearly 30 kms
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 17: As the work on three major tunnels on Jammu-Akhnoor-Rajouri National Highway in Kali Dhar Ranges and another near Nowshera is almost complete, the people from twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch are all set to have a major relief as these crucial tunnels will reduce nearly 30 kms of distance between Jammu and these two border districts.
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Official sources told the Excelsior that civil works on Kandi and Sungal tunnels in Kalidhar Ranges between Akhnoor and Sunderbani Sub Divisions have already been completed and some final electro-mechanical, fire-fighting and finishing works are in progress. These works are expected to be completed within 2-3 months.
While giving detail about 2.6 kms long Kandi Tunnel, the sources said this tunnel is situated about 12 kms from Hanuman Chowk, at Akhnoor town in the Kalidhar Range. This is Package-I tunnel and is being constructed by the M/s RNC Constructions, All these three tunnels have been constructed using modern technique like Nandni Tunnels between Jammu and Udhampur.
Though all the civil works on this first tunnel have been completed, yet some electro-mechanical and finishing works are in progress. The work on approach roads is remaining while initial stage of macamadization work was also being carried out. The contractor company is facing land issue for completion of work on approach roads. When this work is over, the remaining work on the approaches will also be completed, sources added.
The second one is the Sungal Tunnel which is about 2.8 kms (2790 mts) in length. This is being constructed by M/s C S Constructions with the estimated cost of Rs 476 crores. Though the tunnel may take hardly 2-3 months for the completion of remaining allied works but the approach roads to the tunnel is the major issue. It is said that nearly 1100 mts of land area is yet to be acquired and handed over to the Contractor Company by the 57 RDD of Project Sampark. Due to some issue between private farmers and the Revenue authorities, the GREF authorities could not handover the land for the approach roads to the contractor, Project Director Pardeep Sharma said.
Sharma said though three years’ time was given to the company by the Project Sampark of BRO, some delay in the work was caused due to non-handing over of the entire area coming under constructions. He said Revenue authorities have yet to make payments to some of the farmers and they are not allowing to carry on the work on the remaining approach roads.
He further disclosed that work on Nowshera tunnel is also being executed by his company. This is 700 mtrs long tunnel being constructed with the cost of Rs 441 crores. The work on this tunnel is in final stage. The electro-mechanical works are over on this tunnel and now final finishing woerk is in progress.
Nowshera Tunnel comes under Package-V and it will be completed within 20-25 days. Hardly finishing work is pending and approach roads will also be constructed by the Tunnel contract company. Here again land is the main hurdle. The kutcha roads up to these three tunnels have been constructed but the concrete work besides macadamisation is yet awaited.
A senior BRO official when asked about the delay behind acquiring land said that a notice for compensation has been issued by the Revenue authorities. It is in the final stage. He claimed that payment of compensation will be started shortly and with this, the SAMPARK authorities will hand over the land to the contractor agencies for the completion of approach roads of the tunnel.
Replying to a question he said there is no much delay in the tunnel projects and many sharp curves on the Kali Dhar Range and ahead have been cleared. He said with the commissioning of tunnels and upgradation of the entire road upto Rajouri, about 40-50 minutes of travel time is expected to be reduced.
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