Contractors have cited extreme weather conditions at the construction site, where heavy snowfall hampers work for nearly 5 months in a year, to justify the need for additional time
The seven-year deadline set by the Centre for the construction of the 14-km-long Zojila tunnel is "highly optimistic", potential bidders have said, requesting the government to take a realistic approach and stretch it to 10 years.
The Rs 4,899-crore project to build Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel connecting Srinagar, Kargil and Leh has been put for bidding for the third time after the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation terminated its agreement with the IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd, which has been engulfed by a financial crisis.
Earlier, the contract had been given to another company in 2016, but it was terminated later.
Contractors have cited extreme weather conditions at the construction site, where heavy snowfall hampers work for nearly 5 months in a year, to justify the need for additional time.
Hostile weather apart, road developers have also raised security concerns in the volatile state and said curbs on storage and the use of explosives for tunneling will further slow down construction. They said work might get affected between July-August, during the annual Amarnath Yatra.
In their suggestion to the government, the contractors have submitted: "The scope of work includes construction of 14.15-km mined tunnel. Due to extreme weather conditions and closure of National Highway-1 during winters, the net working months available will be less. Therefore, the construction period of 7 years provided in the tender document seems to be highly optimistic. Request you to provide realistic construction period of 10 years and modify the milestones."
The Zojila project is strategically important for India for its proximity to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and China. Currently, NH-1 is the only road link for civilian and defence forces between Srinagar and Kargil and Leh. However, the Zojila stretch on it has a treacherous terrain and cannot be accessed from November to April every year due to thick snow cover.
While it currently takes 3-4 hours to cross the Zojila pass, the stretch can be covered in 15 minutes once the tunnel becomes operational. It can also be used during winters.
The suggestion by contractors further reads, "As the project is located in geo-politcial sensitive area and of national importance. Since it is a tunnel project demanding experienced professionals from India as well as abroad. The safety and security of the establishment and personnel is of utmost importance for successful completion of the project, authority is requested to deploy elaborate security cover through central agencies."
The last date for companies to submit their bids for the project is May 6.
STRATEGIC PROJECT
- The Zojila pass on NH-1, which links Srinagar with Kagil and Leh, is shut for 5 months due to snowfall
- The 14-km-long all-weather tunnel is strategically important for its proximity to PoK and China
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Zojila")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}