Work on the ambitious Rs 1,700 crore Rohtang tunnel project linking Lahaul Valley with the key tourist resort of Manali by an all weather road would commence soon, Himachal Works (PW) Minister Gulab Singh Thakur told the Vidhan Sabha during the Question Hour on Friday. Replying to a question of Ram Lal Markanda (BJP), he said that the work would begin in next financial year and the project was slated for completion in 2014. He said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been entrusted with execution of the project and tendering process for various works was at an advanced stage. The BRO had made a provision of Rs 22.88 crore in 2006-07, Rs 37.31 crore in 2007-08 and Rs 226.14 crore in 2008-09 for the construction of the tunnel. The BRO opened the technical bids relating to the project on February 2, 2008 and the same were under evaluation, he added. A contract of Rs 45 crore had been awarded for construction of two avalanche control structures on south portal side the portals were approachable through double lane road. The Minister informed that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had accorded in principle approval for diversion of 75.0506 hectare land for tunnel, camp establishment, muck dumping and portals, besides a sum of Rs 8.44 crore has been deposited with forest authorities by the BRO. Replying to a question of Rikhi Ram Kaundal (BJP), Transport Minister Kishan Kapoor said that the 25 per cent hike in the bus fare was likely to fetch annual revenue of Rs 54 crore to the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HRTC), adding that the HRTC had earned additional revenue of Rs 4.8 crore during past 23 days since the revised fares became effective.