After much delay, the detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed Mughal road tunnel is finally near completion.
The government had set into action its preparation in August 2019. Earlier, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDC), assigned with the job in March 2019, engaged Rodic Consultants Private Limited as a joint venture (JV) with Madrid-based Getnisa-Euro studios to design DPR. It (Rodic) subsequently began working on the DPR and presented a preliminary project assessment (PPR), and then for long nothing more was done, an official in the Mughal Road division told the media. He said that recently the consultancy has shown sincerity and finished the survey of the project. An official said that the report is now being designed, and is anticipated to be submitted in a few months. The consultancy has evaluated the project's cost to be around Rs 4000 crore. An NHIDCL official said that since the work involved is complex and needs geotechnical expertise, it takes time to finish DPR. It is then for the government and public works department (PWD) to take a call on its final approval, an official said. Executive Engineer, Mughal Road division, Shabir Ahmad, also confirmed that the preparation of DPR is in full swing. The historic Mughal Road links Kashmir with Poonch through the southern Shopian district. If the tunnel is built, the road would be an option for Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which often stays shut due to landslides and shooting stones during winters. The Shopian-Poonch road was opened for light vehicles in 2009. However, the road that would provide an alternative connection to Kashmir with the outside world remains available for traffic during summer months only as heavy snowfall at several places, including Peer Ki Gali and Bafliaz closes in winter. The ambitious project had not seen any progress for a decade despite repeated affirmations by the government of India (GoI). Image Source
