The Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today discussed SP Infra Ltd the modalities for construction of tunnels on Mughal Road and Gupkar Road. A team of engineers and officers of AFCONS - the infrastructure development wing of SP Infra Ltd headed by its Director, Omesh Khanna, were present at the meeting.The meeting was informed that one tunnel is proposed to be constructed at Pir-ki-Gali on historical Mughal road while another is proposed at Gupkar Road Srinagar aimed to decongest The Boulevard.The meeting discussed in detail the issues related to the work including financial and technical requirement for conducting pre-feasibility study of both prestigious projects. Briefing the meeting, Director SP Infras informed about the pros and cons of the project, said tentative period of completion for the proposed tunnel at Mughal road will be five to six years as the area remains snow bound for six months every year.
He said the proposed tunnel at Gupkar Road will take two years to complete, but clarified that final period of completion of both the projects will be clear once pre-feasibility study is completed. He said it is a difficult job and sought six months to complete pre-feasibility survey of both the projects.Syed Altaf said that Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is keen on these projects and urged the company to start the process so that pre-feasibility study of the projects is started early. He said Mughal road, the dream of Chief Minister, not only brought people of Poonch and Rajouri closer to Kashmir but will help in promotion of trade activities between two divisions. He said a full-fledged Mughal Road Project Division, headed by Chief Engineer, has been created for manning and maintenance of this important road link. He said efforts are on to make the route all- weather connectivity, adding the proposed tunnel is part of the plan. He asked AFCONS authorities to submit the requisite report so that a final decision could be taken by the Government accordingly.Commissioner Secretary R&B, Rohit Kansal was also present on the occasion.