Srinagar: The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, B V R Subrahmanyam in a meeting chaired on Monday said that works on mega projects including Z-Morh tunnel and Zoji-La tunnel are being taken up on war footing.
The meeting of National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), was held to review the progress of various road projects being undertaken by them in Jammu and Kashmir.
With regard to Kashmir province, it was informed that works on mega projects including Z-Morh tunnel and Zoji-La tunnel, are being taken up on war footing.
During the meeting, it was given out that Z-Morh tunnel project comprises 6.5 Km tunnel, 6 Km approach road, 2 major bridges and 1 minor bridge. The project worth Rs. 2379 crores is expected to be completed by June 30, 2021, and will provide round-the-year connectivity to Sonamarg.
Simultaneously, the works under Zoji-La project are also being taken up. It was mentioned that the project comprehensively includes 14.15 Km tunnel and 18 Km approach road between Z-Morh and Zoji-La tunnel as a single integrated package, besides, comprising carriageway, 2 snow galleries, 4 major bridges and 18 avalanche protection dams. The project will cost Rs. 4430 crores and is expected to be operational by June 2026, which will enable round-the-year connectivity to Ladakh.
Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of Baramulla- Gulmarg, Vailoo- Khanabal, Vailoo- Donipawa, Donipawa- Ashajipora road projects.
While reviewing the progress on road projects being executed in Jammu province, it was informed that a penalty of Rs. 25 lakh has been imposed on the erring contractor for abandoning the project works under the third package of Jammu Akhnoor road, and the works will shortly resume. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, maintained that 15 KMs stretch is currently encumbrance free and the rest will be made available by 30th July 2020, so as to enable speedy completion of the project.
Moreover, Chief Secretary urged Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to allow contractors to bring in migrant labour and equipment after observing the duly established protocols and standard operating procedures with respect to COVID mitigation efforts.
Free Press Kashmir is now on Telegram. Click here to Join.
