Governor NN Vohra chaired a meeting on Saturday to review the pace at which the vital Z Morh and the Zojila Tunnels and certain other major road projects are being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.
Managing Director NHIDCL NagendraNath Sinha said that under the Z Morh tunnel project, 42 percent progress has been achieved in excavation works. He said of the targeted 13,000 meter excavation 5,489 meter has been completed and a ventilation tunnel of 596 meter length had been completed, an official handout said.
Pertinently, the work on Z Morh tunnel, with a total length of 6.5 km along with its approaches, is being constructed between the villages of Rezan and Shetkari on the Srinagar – Leh Highway. It is planned to be completed in April 2020.
The Governor also reviewed the progress of Zojila Tunnel which will provide all weather year round connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh.
It was informed that Zojila Tunnel will reduce the travel time from 3 hours to 15 minutes. The work on this tunnel, started in May 2018, is expected to be completed in May 2025, the statement said.
The Governor discussed in detail the proposed ventilation and other facilities in both these tunnels and directed Dr. PiyushSingla, deputy commissioner Ganderbal, to immediately finalise location for setting up medical facilities with CCU and positioning of specialists, especially for coronary care and high altitude ailments.
He, according to the statement, directed chief engineer PDD to urgently prepare DPR for providing uninterrupted power supply for work in both the Tunnels.
The meeting also reviewed the construction of approach road to the western portal of the Zojila Tunnel. Sinha informed that a detailed study is being conducted along with the snow and avalanches study Establishment for construction of this 20 km stretch which has approximately 30 avalanche prone sites and the work has already been awarded.
While reviewing the status of four laning of the Jammu-Akhnoor highway, the Governor asked advisor Khurshid Ahmad Ganai to visit the sites which are facing issues relating to alignments, widening, shifting of utilities, land acquisition etc. and decide the same on the spot, as possible.
The Governor directed ShahidAnayatullah, commissioner revenue and SaurabhBhagat commissioner forests, to ensure urgent resolution of issues relating to land acquisition, forest clearance and tree felling.
The Governor also reviewed physical progress of the proposed alternate highway on Chenani – Sudhmahadev – Goha – Khellani – Kishtwar – Sinthan Pass – Khanabal section of NH-244 and directed early completion of land acquisition and forest clearances.
The Governor asked BVR Subrahmanyam, chief secretary, to take an early meeting to settle all issues regarding the provision of security cover to the entire staff engaged in the tunnel projects and settle related matters with the ministry of home affairs. Governor desired the CS to take monthly meetings to review the two tunnels and the projects discussed in today’s meeting and ensure against any delays holding up the pace of works.