6.5 kms Chhatergalla tunnel to reduce 20 km distance JAMMU: After a long wait of nearly 30 years, the people from Doda and Kathua districts will have an all weather double lane road as Border Roads Organisation (GREF) has given the completion target of 2017 of this prestigious Rs 600 crore Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli road project. With a 6.5 km long tunnel at Chhatergalla through Seoj Dhar, on the eastern side of Kailash Kund pilgrimage in Bhaderwah sub division, the road once made through, would likely to open flood-gates for the tourists from Punjab, Himachal, Delhi, Haryana and other States. Even the tourists visiting to Chamba- Dalhousie and other parts of Himachal, would be attracted towards picturesque valley of Bhaderwah, known as mini-Kashmir via this link. It will also serve as alternate highway from Pathankot to Kashmir via Doda and Kishtwar. The work on this road of double lane specifications with length of 165 kms is in full swing. While BRO’s project Sampark (69 RCC) is engaged on 89 kms road project from Basohli to Bani, from Bhaderwah to Bani having road length of 76 kms, project Beacon (114 RCC) has been given the task. From Basohli side, the Sampark men have completed 0-40 kms of road, having total width of 12 mts with 7 mt wide black-topping. Chief Engineer Project Sampark, Jammu, Brig U C Mehta said although completion target of Basohli-Bani road has been given as 2015, the Sampark engineers are hopeful of accomplishing this task much ahead of its target, say nearly an year in advance. He disclosed that this road was earlier with the State R&B Department but not much progress was witnessed for years together. Considering the capability of BRO for executing the works in such tough terrain conditions, the road was handed over to BRO during 1986. Even after a lot of challenges like extreme militancy and inhospitable weather conditions, this 165 kms road was finally completed by BRO as single lane un-surfaced specifications during 1993 and opened to traffic. Militancy caused the major set back to this project, especially on Bani-Bhaderwah stretch. Giving more details, Brig Mehta said this 89 kms road from Basohli to Bani with five small and minor bridges will be completed with the estimated cost of Rs 250 crore. The BRO has spent nearly Rs 100 crore on this double lane road project so far. Forest clearance and land acquisitions are the major issues which affect the pace of work as they are much time consuming exercises. He disclosed that 40 km road up to nearly Bhoond, has been completed from Basohli side. On 40-50 kms stretch cutting and formation work is over. By this October ending, 50 kms road length will be complete in all respects. Again, on 50-60 kms stretch cutting work is over and formation works are in progress. By August next year, 60 kms road will be completed. He further disclosed that from 60- 89 kms, the task is very tough due to high and rocky mountains but cutting work has been launched. "Forest clearance from 70 to 89 kms has been accorded and tree felling work is on. Compensation worth Rs 30.70 lakhs was recently paid to Forest Department. Oct 2015 is the completion target but work will be accomplished much earlier than the targeted date,’’ Brig Mehta maintained. Brig T P S Rawat, CE Project Beacon (Sgr), who has been entrusted the task of 76 kms road project from Bhaderwah to Bani, told the Excelsior that double lane work was started by BRO in 2003. However, during 2007 the Government decided to handover the work to State PWD (R&B) but they did not take over the work till end of 2009 due to unknown reasons. The work on this project remained suspended during this period. It was however, re-started by BRO in 2010 and it was put on fast track only during 2011. The BRO Chief Engineer said that Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road would ensure shorter connectivity with Pathankot (Punjab) and contribute to the over all development of Bhaderwah and Doda area. He said pre-feasibility report of 6.5 kms long Chhatergalla tunnel near Sarthal has been submitted to DG BRO. The process of DPR for the tunnel was under progress. This tunnel may reduce the distance of road by 18- 20 kms. Replying to a question, Brig Rawat said the project would cost around Rs 350 crore. The road work has gained momentum with the support from local administration by clearing encroachment along the road in Bhaderwah Sub- Division. At present concentration of work is on the 30 kms stretch between 165 to 135 kms. He disclosed that with the induction of heavy excavators and additional machinery, substantial progress has been made. The road will be completed by 2017. Brig Rawat further disclosed that from Bani side on 89-102 kms stretch, formation, permanent works and forest compensation was under progress. Rs 25.40 cr has been paid to the Revenue authorities (SDM Bani) in respect of land compensation. Final award of Rs 6.5 crore of Chandal village has been received. On 102-128 kms stretch, joint survey with Forest Department is being carried out by BRO men. In 135-145 kms stretch, formation and permanent works are in progress, on 145-155 kms formation and permanent works completed and surfacing work is in progress. On 155-165 kms formation and permanent works are in progress and an advanced payment of Rs 5 crore has been made to SDM Bhaderwah in respect of land compensation, the BRO Chief Engineer added.