BRO to construct 11 road tunnels, two in Sikkim

GANGTOK, 16 April: The Central Government is planning to construct a set of 11 tunnels to improve road reliability along the China and Pakistan borders, reports suggest. Two of these tunnels, the reports inform, are proposed in Sikkim. These tunnels are to be built in ‘strategically important’ road stretches close to the China border. As per reports these are to be all-weather tunnels to be constructed by the Border Roads Organisation and are planned and intended to help rapid mobilization of troops and equipment besides providing better connectivity to local residents.
It is reported that the BRO is likely to undertake the feasibility study of the proposed tunnels in Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. The road network along the border with China has been left largely under-developed, a policy which has its roots in the belief that better road network could help the Chinese forces to spread in case of an invasion. In fact, at a recently held meeting both at the central and state levels, this was expressed on the part of the army establishment as a reason why road networks along the border regions in Sikkim had not been developed, inform sources.
However, now it is informed that this doctrine has been changed and several road development works are being undertaken by the BRO, which is funded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). In fact, it is funds from this Ministry which has enabled the BRO to undertake the black-topping works currently underway along the NH 31A. As regards this, BRO officials inform that the black-topping works are expected to be completed by July this year. This work was actually scheduled to be undertaken in 2013.
As for tunnels, 2 all-weather tunnels are planned for Sikkim, reportedly located 19.3 and 24.6 kms from the border with China. As per reports, an 800 metre long tunnel is also expected to be constructed at Rangpo.
A BRO presentation made to the highways ministry earlier this year shows that the completion of strategic roads has so far been unsatisfactory. Out of the 18 strategic roads totaling 1,693km, only four (102km) have been completed so far. Work on about 1,096 km remains in progress. The BRO faces hardship in mobilization of men and material and they execute the projects under tough conditions.
At a review meeting on the progress or road projects under BRO earlier this year, the road construction wing of the Army told the highways ministry officials that the feasibility studies of projects are under progress. Two of them - the 12km Zojila and the 6.5km Z Morh tunnels - fall in Jammu and Kashmir and are crucial for connectivity between Srinagar and Leh. These two regions often remain cut off during winter as snow covers the highway connecting the regions. The third project has been planned near Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand.
The BRO is also to take up construction of two tunnels, totaling 25.4km on Balipara-Charduar-Tawang road that would improve connectivity to Tawang region throughout the year.