Chief Secretary, B. R. Sharma today reviewed the pace of ongoing construction works of Chenani- Nashri tunnel at Chenani.The Chief Secretary also inspected various other developmental works related to four laning of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Samroli.Divisional Commissioner Dr. Pawan Kotwal , Commissioner Secretary to Government PW (R&B) Department Rohit Kansal, , DDC Udhampur Niraj Kumar, DDC Ramban Mohammad Aijaz, ADC Udhampur Angrez Singh Rana ,Regional Officer and Vice President IL&FS Ashutosh Chandwar were also present on the occasion. Later while chairing a meeting the Chief Secretary reviewed the status of works related to Power System, tunnel lighting, tunnel ventilation System, Fire Fighting system, Communication System, Integrated Tunnel Control System, Toll collection system and Electrical Switchyard. Speaking on the occasion, the CS said that this tunnel is one of its kind which will ensure enhanced connectivity besides reducing the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 31 km and the time of journey by 2 hours. The CS emphasized upon the concerned authorities to further speed up the pace of works on several works being done in the tunnel for timely completion of the project. .Earlier, the Regional Head of the executing agency gave a detailed power point presentation highlighting the salient features of the tunnel project.
The meeting was also informed that the tunnel consists of a main tunnel and an escape tunnel (emergency tunnel) which is connected to later by a cross passage. Besides, an Integrated Tunnel Control System has also been established which will monitor the Traffic Control, CCTV, Access Control, Fire alarm, Power supply, Communication, Tunnel Lighting, Toll and other systems. It was the first time that a Gas Based Insulation system has been used in a tunnel project.Earlier, the Chief Secretary, visited various areas in Ramban and took stock of the progress of the ongoing developmental projects in the district.The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Commissioner Secretary Road and Buildings, Rohit Kansal, District Development Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Aijaz, Senior Superintendent of Police Ramban Randeep Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Babu Ram besides others.While inspecting the work on 8.5 km long tunnel project at Banihal, the Chief Secretary was apprised of certain issues of land acquisition by the concerned authorities of executing agency, Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd. responding to which he directed Deputy Commissioner to take immediate steps to resolve the issues for ensuring timely completion of the project.
The Chief Secretary also chaired a high level meeting to review the status of developmental projects at Chanderkote. Stressing on the need to complete the projects within fixed timelines, the Chief Secretary directed the officers of executing agencies to focus on the bottlenecks and take necessary steps to remove them so that work on these projects is accelerated.
The Chief Secretary further passed instructions to the executing companies for ensuring necessary repairs of roads in their respective jurisdictions besides removing other barriers responsible for traffic jams. He asked the district administration to chalk out plan for free movement of vehicles and other arrangements during darbar move.Earlier, the District Development Commissioner apprised the Chief Secretary of the status of ongoing prestigious projects of railways, four laning of National Highway and tunnels besides other development works in the district.Chief Secretary accompanied by the senior officers also visited sites of ongoing works along National Highway during which he directed the concerned officers of executing agencies to strictly adhere to the fixed timelines for completion of the projects while maintaining quality of works . Among others, SSP Ramban Randeep Kumar, SE R&B circle Doda Des Raj, ,Ex-Ens R&B Udhampur and Ramban Project Director NHAI M.A Harde Project Director (IL &FS) Chenani Nashri tunnel project, J.S.Rathore and other district officers were also present.