Rs 62.5 Cr repair, renovation project of historic tunnel in final stage

Banihal, Nov 10: The historic Jawahar Tunnel, a strategic vital link on the old Srinagar Jammu National Highway, connecting Banihal and Qazigund, is in the final stages of its repair and renovation works.

The project related to repair, renovation (also encompassing rehabilitation) of two tubes of Jawahar tunnel, each 2.5 kilometres, was initiated by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under project BEACON in July 2023 with an estimated budget of Rs 62.5 Cr.

The renovation of Jawahar tunnel project includes several key upgrades aimed at improving safety, beautification and user experience in and outside Jawahar tunnel.

An officer from BEACON, posted at Jawahar tunnel, wishing anonymity, told Greater Kashmir that the renovation and repair works of the tunnel was allotted to Chhattisgarh based construction company Mosh Varaya Infrastructure Limited in July 2023, with a deadline of November 30, 2024. He said the renovation work in and outside Jawahar tunnel on the old Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-1A, now NH-444), was in the stage of finishing. “The project completion is expected before the set deadline of November 30,” the officer said.

He said, “Despite bypassed after the opening of the Banihal-Qazigund four-lane tunnel three years ago, the Jawahar tunnel remains critical for connectivity and holds significant historical and strategic values.”

Project Engineer Jai Bhagwan Singh from Mosh Varaya Infrastructure Limited construction company, while talking to Greater Kashmir, said, “The work in both tubes (North and South portals) of Jawahar tunnel has been carried out, on the basis of day-and-night work schedule. Almost all electrical and civil works have been completed.”

He said, “Hi-tech and latest technology equipment have been installed inside the both tubes of Jawahar tunnel, including 76 advanced CCTV cameras and a monitoring room, state-of-the-art fire-fighting equipment, 30 (15x2) efficient exhaust fans and enhanced lighting and public addressing systems. Work is in its final stage and we are hopeful to handover the Jawahar tunnel to BEACON organisation within the next 10 days for operations.”

He added that the Jawahar tunnel would continue to serve as a critical alternative route, preserving its legacy and importance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh said, “More than 95 percent of works, out of repairs and renovation works of the tunnel, have been provided to the people of Banihal and Verinag.”

A site engineer working inside tunnel, Abrar Ahamd associated with M/S Bhat Construction Company told GK, “Some smoke and fire alert sensors and high definition close circuit cameras are being installed inside tunnel in next few days. Work was delayed due to Deepawali festival holidays.”

He said that the company engineers were also working on the online-linking tests of all the equipment and gadgets installed inside Jawahar tunnel, especially CCTVs and monitoring systems. He said all pending works would be completed within one week.

It may be mentioned here that currently Jawahar tunnel serves as a route for all kinds of fuel tankers and highly inflammable tankers and vehicles, while other traffic has been diverted to the new Banihal-Qazigund four-lane tunnel since 2021.