Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 18: Strongly advocating for construction of proposed 10-Km long (5 km of two tubes each) Singpora-Vailoo tunnel connecting Kishtwar with Kashmir valley, Senior Congress Leader and MLA Inderwal G M Saroori, today said it will help to provide a nearest all weather alternate highway between Jammu and Srinagar.
Saroori said on completion, the tunnel will go a long way in developing a mega Tourism Circuit comprising of Lakhanpur-Bani-Basohli-Chatergala-Bhaderwah-Kishtwar-Chatroo and Kashmir valley, thereby bringing socio-economic prosperity in the entire region.
“Chatroo-Singpora-Vailoo tunnel is of prime importance both from defence purpose and from road connectivity purpose. He said that the proposed tunnel will shorten the traveling distance from eight to two hours on one hand and will facilitate tourists, especially Amarnath pilgrims on the other hand,” said Saroori.
Saroori said that Jammu-Srinagar NH1A which always remains closed most of time due to landslides or sinking of road patches at various places every next day whereas the Singpora-Vailoo tunnel will be without sliding, sinking zone and the same will remain open throughout the year.
He alleged that certain vested interests who don’t want that the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar should get connected to Kashmir region are deliberately creating hurdle in the completion of the formalities of the project.
He demanded an immediate start of construction on this important tunnel which the former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh had sanctioned alongwith 10 tunnels in the country which include Singpora-Vailoo tunnel and which also found mention in the President of India address in the Parliament in 2013.
Saroori informed that higher officials of BEACON have informed him that the pre-feasibility report has already been received by Ministry of Surface Transport and Defence Ministry through Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 2013 and now BRO needs funds for preparation of final Detail project report (DPR).
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