Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 14: A proposal for construction of 18-kilometres long tunnel to connect Gurez with rest of the Kashmir valley round-the-clock is under active consideration of the Union Ministry for Roads and Surface Transport and could be through if it was found feasible as the tunnel would be longest in the country, nearly double the Chenani-Nashri tunnel being constructed on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Union Ministry for Roads and Surface Transport headed by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, which has recently approved four laning of Udhampur-Srinagar stretches of the National Highway, Jammu-Poonch Highway via Akhnoor and Rajouri at the cost of Rs 5200 crores and Zojila tunnel to link Srinagar-with Leh throughout the year at a cost of Rs 10,050 crores, was considering the proposal to construct 18 kilometers long tunnel over Razdhan Pass to link remote and far flung area in Bandipora district with the Kashmir valley during entire year.
“Preliminary feasibility study on construction of the tunnel has been conducted by the construction agencies of the Central Government. Cost of the construction has been estimated around Rs 9000 crores, only Rs 1000 crores less than Zojila tunnel, which will be constructed on Jammu-Kargil road and will link Kargil and Leh districts with rest of the country for full year,’’ sources said.
Presently, Srinagar-Leh National Highway remains closed for nearly six winter months while Gurez remains cut off with the Kashmir valley for about eight months of the year. Contract for construction of Zojila tunnel has already been awarded to IRB Infrastructures Limited at the cost of Rs 10,050 crores. It will be constructed at a height of 11,578 feet from sea level.
Sources confirmed that soon after receiving the proposal for construction of Rs 9000 crores worth tunnel at Razdhan Pass to connect Gurez with the Kashmir valley throughout the year, the Union Ministry for Roads and Surface Transport has sought feasibility report on the construction and would take further steps after receiving it.
“The tunnel will be a milestone in the history of Jammu and Kashmir as it will not only connect Gurez with Kashmir during the winters but would be longest tunnel in the entire country,’’ sources said and pointed out that length of the tunnel would be nearly double the length of Chenani-Nashri tunnel, which is 9.2 kilometers and was likely to be completed by the middle of this year, if everything goes well.
Chenani-Nashri tunnel is an important part of the widening and shortening distance of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which is under construction in five stretches.
The first stretch of the Highway i.e. Jammu-Udhampur has been completed while work was on at Chenani-Nashri tunnel. Three other stretches of the Highway included Udhampur-Ramban, Ramban-Banihal and Banihal-Qazigund.
Gurez Valley is strategically very important as its most of the part falls along the line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and linking it with the Kashmir throughout the year is very significant, sources pointed out adding that the Defence authorities have also been batting for construction of this tunnel.
“It is one of the many strategic areas of Kashmir — in terms of defence as well as energy security — as work is in progress on the Kishenganga Hydro Electric Project there. Gurez has also been used as an infiltration route by militants coming from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK),’’ sources said.
If constructed, sources said, the tunnel will be of huge help not only to defence forces but also the civilian population of the area. “It will improve connectivity leading to development of the area.”
Sources said apart from tunnel over Razdhan Pass to connect Gurez with Kashmir, the Union Ministry for Roads and Surface Transport has also received proposal for construction of three more tunnels in the Valley, which included a 6.5-kilometre tunnel at Sadhna that will improve the connectivity with the Tanghdar area (along the LoC) in Kupwara district, another at Furkian (Keran sector) and a 3.5-km tunnel at Zamindar Gali (Macchil sector).
Tanghdar, Keran and Macchil areas of Kupwara district fall along the Line of Control and also remain cut off from rest of the State due to heavy snowfall during winter.
“All-weather road connectivity with these areas, where Army has a significant presence, can improve the security situation as well as help the State Government to exploit the tourism potential of these untapped areas,’’ sources said.
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