jammu

India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has submitted a Rs90bn ($1.3bn) proposal to construct a road tunnel connecting Gurez to the rest of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) throughout the year.

The proposal to build the 18km tunnel along the Line of Control (LoC) has been made to the centre.

Due to heavy snow during colder seasons, Gurez remains shut from the rest of Kashmir.

It is one of the main areas of Kashmir in terms of defence and energy security.

BRO chief engineer Brigadier A K Das was quoted by Press Trust of India (PTI) as saying: "We have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for construction of an 18km tunnel at Razdhan pass to connect Gurez with rest of the valley throughout the year."

"It will improve connectivity leading to development of the area."

According to Das, the tunnel, if built, will not only facilitate the defence forces but also local residents of the area.

Das added: "It will improve connectivity leading to development of the area."

Once built, it will almost be double the stretch of the 2km Chenani-Nashri tunnel in J&K, which is currently projected as the longest tunnel in the country.

The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is expected to be completed later this year.

BRO has also submitted proposals for the construction of three more tunnels in the state, reported the news agency.

The three other projects include 6.5km tunnel at Sadhna that will improve the connectivity with the Tangdhar area in Kupwara district, a 3.5km tunnel at Zamindar Gali in Macchil Sector and the third at Furkian in Keran Sector.

In January, IRB Infrastructure Developers was awarded Rs100.5bn ($1.5bn) Zoji La tunnel project in the state.

Image: The 18km tunnel at Razdhan pass in J&K will be the longest road tunnel. Photo: courtesy of Cecelia via freedigitalphotos.