Chenani-Nashri tunnel project likely to be complete by Oct end: Official

Jammu, Sep 11: The much awaited Chenani-Nashri Tunnel is going to be completed by October this year, said an official of the company undertaking the mega project. "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," an official said in a brief presentation to Dr Pawan Kotwal, Jammu Divisional Commissioner and Danesh Rana, IGP Jammu Zone during their visit to the project site this evening to review the progress of the ongoing works of Chenani – Nashri Tunnel project.

The duo expressed satisfaction with the international technology and state of art technology and equipments employed on the project, progress of the works. Dr Kotwal emphasised on early completion of the project and assured full co-operation from state government. He also advised to project team of IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd to provide the details of the problem faced by them in completing the tunnel. Mr Rana enquired about the various safety provisions adopted in the tunnel and were satisfied with various systems installed.

He also advised project team to provide the details to educate the drivers through various organisations about discipline to be adopted in the tunnel. The Chenani-Nashri Tunnel project involves construction of approx 9 km 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 tunnel will provide an all-weather route that will result in a significant time savings to motorists travelling between Jammu and Srinagar. 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.

The tube will also provide all weather road links to Srinagar from Jammu bypassing Patnitop which is prone to snow fall in winter seasons and thus reducing 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.