Work on Z-Morh tunnel to be completed by 2020: Officials

The work on the 6.5 km-long Z-Morh tunnel on the strategic Srinagar-Leh highway in central Kashmir would be completed by 2020, officials said.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, yesterday convened a meeting to review the progress of the prestigious Z-Morh tunnel project, an official spokesman said.

He said the meeting was informed that a Hyderabad-based construction company 'APCO' was awarded the contract for the construction of Z-Morh tunnel and the work on the 6.5 km tunnel near Gagenger in Sonamarg, in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, would be completed by 2020.

The spokesman said currently 800 workers were working on the project, out of which almost 50 per cent were locals.
 

On the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner directed the officials of the executing agency to devise a comprehensive local area development plan in consultation with deputy commissioner and SSP Ganderbal for the upliftment of the local area, the spokesman said.

He said for the safety of the area, Khan directed the agency to get the audit report for storing of explosive materials through SSP Ganderbal.

Representatives of the executing agency appraised the divisional commissioner about various issues like frequent halting of vehicles carrying construction material, levying taxes on the trucks, deployment of central security forces at the project sites for the security of labours and other related issues.

Khan directed the concerned to redress the issues put forth on priority so that the work on this prestigious project was completed within the stipulated timeframe, the spokesman said.

The tunnel would provide all-weather road connectivity to Sonamarg tourist spot, which mostly remains closed during the winters due to heavy snowfall in Gagenger area.