Construction work on the six km-long Zojila tunnel between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region is scheduled to begin from August this year following clearance from the Centre. "Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved the construction of Zojila tunnel in Kashmir Valley to provide all an season link to the twin districts of Kargil and Leh with other parts of the country," state Minister for Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon said. "Foundation stone for construction of first phase 6km tunnel with a tentative cost of Rs 200 crore per km,from Gagangir to Sonamerg would be in August 2012," he said, following a high-level meeting convened by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Dr C P Joshi in New Delhi yesterday. The Director General Roads would personally oversee the work till the commissioning of the tunnel,he said. The date for starting work on the second phase from Baltal to Mainamerg shall be announced at the foundation laying ceremony,he added. The Minister said that feasibility report for the tunnel project has already been prepared and the Union Minister has set this March as the deadline for submitting the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Akhoon also said that agencies looking after the 420 km-long Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway,including BEACON,have been instructed by the Union Ministry to clear snow so that the only road lifeline to Kargil and Leh is clear. Accordingly,the authorities have been asked to look after it up to Captain More from Kargil side,while BEACON will maintain the road from Sonamerg side. He apprised the Union Minister of the problems faced by inhabitants of the region during the closure of the highway,which remains blocked for a major part of the year owing to inclement weather and heavy snow fall on higher reaches. The construction of the tunnel at the identified places will help to keep the road open round the year,he said.
