Zojila tunnel project in JK to be constructed in 2,555 days

New Delhi, January 24: Zojila pass tunnel which was approved by the central government in a bid to provide all-weather connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir will be constructed in a time period of 2,555 days.

 

Notably, IL&FS Transportation said that it has received the letter of award (LoA) for Zojila pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir for which a construction period of 2,555 days has been fixed. "We wish to inform that the company has received a Letter of Acceptance dated January 19, 2018, from NHIDCL (National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd) for development of the Project. The construction period for the Project is 2,555 days," IL&FS transportation said in a regulatory filing to the BSE.

The company said it had earlier intimated vide letter dated July 28, 2017, that it has emerged as the lowest bidder for construction, operation and maintenance of 2-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) Tunnel on Srinagar-Leh Section in Jammu & Kashmir on EPC mode at a cost of Rs 4,899.42 crore.

Importantly, the cabinet headed by PM Modi on January 3 of this year approved strategic Zojila pass tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the rest of the world during winters due to heavy snowfall.

Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir.

Project Details:

• The construction period of the project is seven years which shall be reckoned from the date of commencement of construction.
• The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4899.42 crore.
• The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6808.69 crore. It includes the cost towards Land Acquisition, Resettlement & Rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as Maintenance and Operation cost of a tunnel for four years.
• The Project aims at the construction of 14.150 km long two-lane bi-directional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.200 km long egress tunnel excluding approaches between Baltal & Minamarg in the State of J&K.
• The construction of approaches of this tunnel is being undertaken separately.
• The project will be implemented by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) through National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

Impact:

• The main objective of the project is to provide all-weather connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu & Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best 6 months because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.
• This project along with other ongoing projects like 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangir would ensure safe, fast and cheap connectivity between the two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh.
• It will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities.
• The project, on completion, would lead to an enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to National market and the beautiful region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic.
• These sectors will generate employment at multiple levels.