Kolkata: In a bid to connect Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India throughout the year, the Centre is going to revisit the financial clearances for two key tunnel projects, Sudhmahadev-Dranga and Singhpora-Vailoo. The renewed move comes as an effort to improve the region’s connectivity after the Pahalgam terror attack.
For more than a decade, both projects which are aiming to create an alternative link between Jammu and Srinagar via National Highway 244 are yet to receive clearance. According to a report by the Economic Times, the Public Investment Board (PIB) may take up the matter in its next meeting.
Despite getting clearances regarding defence and environment, the PIB is yet to clear the projects and rejected them during a meeting on March 22. The reason was concerns over high cost, with estimates pegging the total cost of the projects at around Rs 8,900 crore. Now, efforts are being made to bring down the cost and give clearance to the projects.
The strategic importance of the projects
Both tunnel projects have immense strategic importance, especially when it comes movement of troops, and secured connectivity in the border areas. Unlike the Jammu-Srinagar NH 44 that is prone to terror threats, these tunnels would offer safer, all-weather routes.
The total length of the Singhpora-Vailoo Tunnel will be around 10 km and once completed, it will connect Kokernag’s Ahlan with Chatroo in Kishtwar. It would enable people to avoid the treacherous 12,000-foot Sinthan Pass on the current Anantnag-Kokernag-Kishtwar route with heavy snowfall or rain blocking it. The tunnel’s project is important as it will connect several places between the Kashmir Valley and the Chenab region, including Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi, and Kishtwar.
On the other hand, the length of the Sudhmahadev-Dranga Tunnel would be 8 km and it would bring down the distance between Udhampur’s Sudhmahadev and Khellani in Doda from 100 km to 32 km. Also, it would ensure safe travel as landslides and accidents occur frequently on the existing Goha-Khellani road.
The Centre is also working on other projects including 19 major road and tunnel projects worth Rs 10,637 crore. One of those projects is the Peer Ki Gali tunnel on the historic Mughal Road and it would connect Kashmir’s Shopian with Jammu’s Poonch. Also, the project of the Sadhana Tunnel has been approved. As per estimates, the project would cost Rs 3,330 crore and would connect Kupwara with Karnah, a border region.
