SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Most of the developmental projects are being completed in Jammu and Kashmir one by one. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Chenani-Naushri tunnel in the year 2017.
Notably, Chenani-Nashri tunnel is one of the longest tunnels measuring 9.5 Km and is equipped the with most latest technology. ‘Chenani-Nashri Tunnel’ was built at a cost of Rs 2,600 crore. The tunnel, bypassing snow-bound upper reaches, reduces the journey time by two hours and provides a safe, all-weather route to commuters travelling from Jammu and Udhampur to Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar and vice versa.
The key features of the tunnel are – it is a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35-metre carriageway, and a vertical clearance of 5 metres.
Banihal tunnel, part of Rs 1,987 crore Qazigund-Banihal project on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, is one of the largest road tunnels in India and the first of its kind to be taken up on the public-private-partnership mode.
The dream that was seen in 2011 came true in year 2021 after almost ten years when Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari informed that construction of the Banihal-Qazigund tunnel, which connects Jammu with Srinagar, has been completed. Sharing images of the tunnel, he said that it is now open to traffic for trials before official inauguration.
The tunnel on completion will make the highway, which remains closed for long time due to snowfall, an all-weather road. It will also reduce the distance between Banihal and Srinagar by 16 km, besides giving a boost to the trade in the region. The tunnel will also have an emergency lane and a provision for emergency cross passages, besides proper ventilation.
On August 3, 2021, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari admitted the fact that Banihal-Qazigund tunnel, built at 5800 feet above sea level, will replace Jawahar Tunnel as an all-weather option for people travelling between Jammu and Srinagar. It will bypass Jawahar Tunnel and Shaitani Nallah, which often remain closed due to snowfall during winters thereby breaking road-link of linking Kashmir to the rest of the country.
Qazigund-Banihal tunnel constructed with the Austrian tunneling method, has a state-of-the-art exhaust system to prevent gas formation with the help of 126 jet fans. There is also a corridor between the two tubes after every 500 meters which has been built for use in case of any emergency. It will also have 234 CCTV cameras and a firefighting system installed in both tubes of the tunnel.
Beside completing these important projects, one of the key project for Kashmir valley is Rail connectivity with the rest of the country. The Northern railway said that severe weather conditions and other inappropriate conditions are major hurdles, but despite these issues work is going on the track and world’s highest railway bridge has been completed.
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) that would connect Kashmir with the rest of the country will be completed by next year, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet.
The project will be completed by 2022 & will facilitate ease of transport for the people of J&K. The 272 km railway line is being undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 28,000 crore by the Northern Railway. The first section connecting Udhampur to Katra and third section between Banihal and Baramulla have been completed with both sections fully operational.
According to the officials of Northern Railways, perhaps, the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project is the most difficult rail project undertaken by the national transporter. The project has been divided into three sub-sections for execution purposes. The most difficult stretch of this rail line project, Katra-Qazigund leg, and its alignment which is 129 Km long, passes through ranges of Patni and PirPanjal.
According to the officials, this project is highly important to provide a reliable transportation system to J&K as it will join Kashmir Valley to the country’s rail network.