Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Sept 10: To review the progress, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal and IGP, Jammu, Danish Rana today inspected the ongoing works of Chenani – Nashri Tunnel project.
The Div com expressed satisfaction with the international technology and equipments employed on the project as well as progress of the works. Assuring full cooperation from the state Government, he emphasized on early completion of the project.
Dr Pawan Kotwal advised to project team of IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd. to provide the details of the problem faced by them in completing the tunnel. He said that IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd should start publicity campaign for traffic discipline to be maintained in the tunnel before it is likely to be completed by October end.
Danish Rana enquired about the various safety provisions adopted in the tunnel and expressed satisfaction with various systems installed. He also advised project team to provide the details to educate the drivers through various organizations about discipline to be adopted in the tunnel.
Pertinent to mention that the Chenani Nashri Tunnel project involves construction of approximately 9km of 2 lane (13 m dia) main tunnels along with parallel escape tunnel (5 m dia) in the lower Himalayan mountain range, which is longest highway tunnel under construction in India. The tunnels are located at an elevation of 1200m with an overburden of up to 1Km and constructed using the NATM technique. The tunnel provides an all-weather route that will result in a significant time savings to motorists travelling along NH1 between Jammu and Srinagar. The scope of work includes all civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, power distribution, ventilation, lighting, SCADA, fire control system, video surveillance, traffic control, emergency call and communications works. This tunnel will provide all weather road link to Srinagar from Jammu bypassing Patnitop which is prone to snow fall in winter seasons. The Tunnel will reduce a total distance of 31 Km (approx 2hr travel time) avoiding accident prone hill road which is also prone to disruptions during winters and rainy season. Overall the Tunnel will better integrate people of Jammu not only with people of Kashmir Valley, but also with the people of Kishtwar, Doda and Bhaderwah by providing better connectivity and reduced travel time.
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