Sanjeev K Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 18: The ongoing work which started more than one and half years back on an important tunnel at Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH) in Ramban district has been suspended as a precautionary measure after pressure developed on the walls of the tunnel.
“Experts have been called for proper inspection of Mehar tunnel and the next course of action will depend on their report,” National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Joint Director, Parshotam Kumar informed.
Click here to watch video
He also said that work on the 800 meter long under-construction tunnel was going on from its both ends.
“About 400 metre length of the tunnel has been dug from one side while digging on its other end was 172 metre complete,” Kumar further said.
He informed that there was no crack on the walls of the tunnel and personnel of Geological Survey of India (GSI) have visited the under-construction infrastructure for inspection and more experts will join them soon.
“Only as a safety and precautionary measure the ongoing work on tunnel has been suspended after which machinery and men engaged in the construction were taken out from the tunnel,” he continued adding that work on the tunnel is likely to be completed by December 2024.
Sources informed that work on the tunnel was also hit in the month of June this year after a landslide damaged its opening from Ramban side.
DC Ramban, Baseer Ul Haq informed that technical evaluation of the tunnel will be done as there was some issue due to which the ongoing construction work has been stopped and it may take few days.
“There are no cracks in the tunnel and its proper status might be confirmed by Monday through NHAI personnel,” he maintained.
Sources informed that when put to use after completion, this C-type tunnel will bypass the landslide-prone Mehar-Cafeteria stretch on the Highway.
Locals informed that many areas on the NH have become landslide prone after the project of road widening was started on Jammu-Srinagar NH.
It is pertinent to mention here that on November 12, 2023, a section of under construction Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand caved-in and 41 workers were trapped inside it and were rescued after hectic efforts.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
