11 tunnels on Pak, China borders plans by Govt.
The Union government is planning to build 11 tunnels in the strategically important road stretches close to the Pakistan and China borders.
Two more tunnels will be built in Uttarakhand to improve connectivity in the hilly state. These all-weather tunnels, which will be built by the Border Road Organization (BRO), would cover about 89km. These tunnels are expected to help rapid mobilization of troops and equipments besides providing better connectivity to local residents, officials said.
The Review of recent meeting about the progress of road projects implemented by BRO,the road construction wing of the Army told the highways ministry officials that the feasibility studies of three projects are under progress. Two of them - the 12km Zojila and the 6.5km Z Morh tunnels - fall in Jammu and Kashmir and are crucial for connectivity between Srinagar and Leh. These two regions often remain cut off during winter as snow covers the highway connecting the regions.
The third project has been planned near Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand. The BRO is likely to undertake the feasibility study of another nine tunnels in J&K, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, also would take up construction of two tunnels, totaling 25.4km on Balipara-Charduar-Tawang road that would improve connectivity to Tawang region throughout the year. Rangpo tunnel in Sikkim that will be only 800 meter long, is also expected to be built soon.