Srinagar, May 6: Chief Engineer Beacon, Brigadier TPS Rawat on Sunday said the foundation stone for 6.5 kilometer long Z- Morh tunnel on Srinagar –Leh highway would be laid in September this year and it would take at least three years for completion.
 In an exclusive interview to Greater Kashmir Rawat said, “Z-Morh tunnel is a 6.5 kilometer. Once this tunnel is completed, then the work would be started on Zojila tunnel.” 
 He said that in case the work on Z-Morh tunnel starts from both the sides, then there are chances of its completion within two years.
 Brigadier Rawat said that completion of Zojila tunnel would almost take 5-6 years as it is an uphill task. “Zojila tunnel is 13 kilometers long and way for its construction would get paved only after the Z- Morh tunnel is completed,” he added.
 The construction of tunnels to provide all weather connectivity to the people of the Ladakh region was part of the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP). Director of Border Roads Organization Jammu and Kashmir had floated tenders for construction, operation and maintenance of Z-Morh tunnel in April this year.
 The contract for feasibility survey for Zojila Tunnel was awarded to a New Delhi based construction agency. For the purpose, Rs 30 crores was sanctioned to the Company and the study was to be undertaken under the supervision of Beacon.
 Giving the breakup of achievements, Brigadier Rawat said that during 2010-11, a number of 97.24 kilometers road formations were developed and during the year 2011-12, 151 .28 kilometers such formations were developed by Beacon.
 He said that a number of 245.28 kilometers of roads also surfaced in year 2010-11 and in 2011-12, 218.52 kilometers were surfaced. A total number of 745.89 kilometers of roads resurfaced in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
 The official said that on the permanent works, Beacon has an expenditure of Rs 190 Crores in year 2010-11 and Rs 110 Crores in year 2011-12.
 The Beacon, Brigadier Rawat said, has also given an amount of Rs 809.54 Crore compensation to the people who were affected due to road widening in different parts of JK during the 2010-11 and 2011-12. 
 About the frequent traffic jams on the roads manned by the Beacon, Brigadier Rawat said four lanning of these roads is the only solution. He said that NHA1 has to take control of the road from Jammu to Pantha Chowk. “We are waiting for them to take over the road,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 7 May 2012 00:00:00 IST