There was absolutely no problem in going in for some design changing of the strategic Zojila tunnel at an altitude of nearly 12000 feet aiming at ensuring round the year connectivity between Leh and Srinagar if it aimed at slicing of cost and providing technical and expertise modifications for better utility. It is hoped that within the timeframe, this tunnel involving a cost of Rs.6800 crore was going to be completed and made operational.
Design changes in the shape of doing away with escape tunnel to give place to alternate tunnels for crossing from one to the other tunnel without any further addition to the already estimated cost of Rs.6800 crore seems difficult and may involve more cost than the envisaged one. However, with some minor changes here and there without compromising on quality standards , some additional amount towards cost escalation cannot be completely overruled looking to its status of going to be Asia’s longest bi- directional tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Minister, however, is trying to have design changes sans involving more funds is really commendable.
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