The Kashmir Scenario Analysis
Important Achievements
Under the dynamic supervision of Chief Engineer Beacon Brigadier TPS Rawat, the project has achieved great laurels.
Achievements 2011-12. Achievement : Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan Package Road (PMRP). The project is constructing a number of important roads under the PMRP. Most of these roads were not progressing due to land acquisition. Brigadier Rawat has vigorously worked along with the districts and state administration and resolved most of the vexed issues, enabling faster pace
of work. Now with most of the contracts in place, most of the roads are likely to be completed within the next couple of years.
Hundreds of kilometers have been black topped till date. Development of Upper Alignment on Zozila Axis 15 Oct 2010 was a “Red Letter Day” in the proud history of Project Beacon & BRO. Project Beacon on this day successfully conducted Trials for induction of heavy vehicles across the formidable and treacherous ‘Zozila Pass. The work on achieved by constructing a fresh realignment of 1.10 Km at an altitude of 11000 ft and widening cum improvement of the 5 Km of existing alignment along with requisite permanent works in a record period of three months.
This was achieved despite working against all odds of weather & public strife; working hours were mostly restricted to hours of darkness due to move of traffic to Leh & Amarnath Yatra. The accomplishment of task well ahead of schedule has won laurels for the Project from one and all. In the coming days this alignment will be constructing the Inter locking concrete blocks thereby bringing relief to the number of drivers and commuters who traverse this pass day in and night out, taking supplies to the Ladakh valley.
Violence and Natural Calamities of Year 2010
In the month of July 2010, Kashmir valley experienced a devastating and incessant rain which killed many people and left so many homeless, which also caused the exchequer huge loss due to washing away of structures and roads. One such road was Baramulla-Kupwara-Chowkibal. In order to connect the road, it was decided to launch a 100 ft Double Single Reinforced Bailey bridge of on war footing at KM 25.400 at Langyte. The situation during that time in the Valley was highly tense due to ‘GO INDIA GO’ Bandh called by “Hurriayat ”. In day time, the stone pelters disturbed the store mobilization and labour movement for construction of Bailey bridge. The material was to be shifted from Baramulla to Langyte which was 28 Km from the Dett location. It was just impossible to mobilize the stores as Baramulla was worst affected during the strike. Hence, move was made in the night without any protection and without care for personal safety, keeping the interest of work. The bridge was completed in a record time of 21 days and then opened to the traffic on 20 Sep 2010.
Foundation Stone Laying of Z’ Morh Tunnel .
The announcement of two tunnels across Sonamarg (Z-Morh) and Zozilla by Shri Rahul Gandhi, of Congress during his visit in 2011 meant that expeditious and telescopic actions were to be initiated to get the geological data, land and forest clearances, preparations of DPR for initiating tendering actions with various Government Agencies at State and Central level. The Project under the dynamic leadership worked with great dedication, foresightedness and was able to get all the works done much ahead of schedule to enable the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rs. 2717 Cr Project performed by Hon’ble Minister of MoRTH & Railways Shri CP Joshi, in presence of Shri Rahul Gandhi on 04 Oct 2012, in record time of a year. Construction of this tunnel along with a 13.9 Km long tunnel across Zozilla for which work on foundation stone laying ceremony is due in Jun 13 is going on in full swing; will result into an all weather connectivity of Leh and Ladakh region which remains cut off from the main land for six months in a year. The synergy created
between the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), MoRTH, Snow and Avalanche study establishment (SASE) and the State Administration resulted in all activities getting completed on time and is unprecedented. The model evolved for this Project to complete the activities on fast track is an example which can be followed in future such like Projects.
All Weather Connectivity to Other Regions
Feasibility study for construction of tunnel at Razdhan has been commenced in 2011 with PDC of 2013. On construction of this 18 Km tunnel, it will provide all weather connectivity to Guriez valley otherwise it is cut off from rest of the country for almost six months during winters. In a view to provide all weather connectivity to other remote areas in J&K falling in AOR of Project Beacon, construction of tunnels have been felt essential and accordingly feasibility study for tunnels at Sadhana, Pharkiyan Gali, Zamindar Khan Gali , Sithan Pass and Chatter Gala has been planned after conducting the necessary pre feasibility studies.
(To be contd….)