Srinagar, Jan 27: In a major development, Jammu & Kashmir administration has formally written to the Union Road Transport Ministry for the approval of a tunnel connecting Harwan-Faqir Gujri area of Srinagar district with Akhal area in Sindh valley of Ganderbal district.
In a formal letter written by LG Manoj Sinha to Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, a copy of which has be accessed by Ziraat Times, J&K administration has made a case for the project maintaining that the tunnel would reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Sonamarg by 50 km and two hours and promote tourism and economic development of the region.
Pertinently, the Akhal – Harwan tunnel proposal was first surveyed in mid 70s, primarily as a water tunnel for hydropower generation as well as bringing fresh waters from River Sindh to Harwan raw water reservoir of PHE Department for augumenting raw water supplies to Nishat Water Works.
The proposed tunnel, if approved, is likely to forge greater economic and trade relations between Kashmir and Ladakh UT, economic observers believe.
“Besides opening immense economic opportunities for trade between Ladakh-Kargil and Kashmir areas, the tunnel could help enhace trade in agriculture produce between the two regions and help communities”, Aamir Hussain, a progressive farmer told Ziraat Times.
“The idea of this tunnel was suggested by the then Commissioner PDD, J&K, R. S. Gill, according to whom the gorge portion of River Sindh at Akhal offerred a very favourable site for an under surface reservoir as well. I with my team conducted the reconnaissance of this area in CI&D Department, PDD”, Kashmir’s prominent hydraulic engineering expert Aijaz Rasool said.
“The proposals framed revealed about a 4 km length of tunnel and eventually it was also concieved to have it as a composit tunnel for roadway and water. It was estimated then that the tunnel would also reduce the distance and time of travel to Sonamarg by 50 kms and 2 hours respectively. The same concept appears now to be revisited once again”, Mr Aijaz said.
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