x

Like our Facebook Page

   
Early Times Newspaper Jammu, Leading Newspaper Jammu
 
Breaking News :   Women-led development will help us to overcome challenges like terrorism: LG Sinha | Army Goodwill Schools symbols of hope, opportunity for many: LG Sinha | Police seize over Rs 7 crore in terror assets in 24-hour crackdown | Air India plane crash: Fuel to both engines cut off within a second, says AAIB report | Amid row over July 13 holiday, Speaker terms Mehbooba’s statement misleading | Fresh batch of 6,639 pilgrims sets out for holy cave shrine | PM Modi highlights Govt’s focus on generating employment | ACB arrests Patwari for accepting bribe | Alleged extortionist held | Pilgrim from Ludhiana goes missing | School timings revised in Kashmir | Guru Daksh Prajapati: Symbol of discipline and rituals of creation | Listen Up! The Power of Effective Listening | Inspiring Indian Environmentalists Shaping a Greener Future | IGP Jammu chairs key crime review meeting in Jammu district | Dy CM inspects SDH Akhnoor, emphasises quality healthcare services | Amit inspires VLEs during Mizoram CSC Diwas celebrations | Vande Bharat and Chenab Bridge Take Spotlight at World Expo 2025 in Osaka | CRS inspection successfully concludes for Araria - Galgalia BG line | Army rescues Pangolin near LoC in Jammu | Food Safety Department intensifies efforts to ensure safe and quality food for pilgrims during Amarnath Yatra | PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijali Yojna a big relief for the poor and middle class: Balbir | Juvenile caught with 10 rolls of banned Nylon thread by Pacca Danga Police | Dogri Play "Chanchlo" - mesmerize audience at Abhinav Theatre | ABRSM celebrates Guru Bandhna programme in Jammu | Congress always struggled for the rights of Kissans | Several DPAP, APNI party leaders joined Congress party | Power shut down in several areas | VC University of Kashmir inaugurates SOCACON-2025 at GMC Srinagar | DLSA Jammu conducts inspection of Central Jail Kot Bhalwal | Joint mock drill on flood preparedness conducted by NHPC Salal, District Administration Reasi | Director Sericulture visits cocoon auction market at Udhampur | Prosperity is not possible without the well-being of farmers: CM Yogi | DC Doda chairs meeting to discuss arrangements for Independence Day 2025 celebration | DC Kishtwar reviews progress of IEC campaign against drugs | Successful organization of Prime Minister's Rozgar Mela in Bhopal | Notification for Haj 1447 (Hijri)/2026 (CE) issued | Promoting Scientific Innovation: Lecture on Green Bio-Manufacturing of D-Allulose held | DC Samba releases pocket-sized statistical handbook 'District at a Glance' | Cluster University of Jammu to organize new placement drive | 6 dead, 8 injured in building collapse in Delhi; rescue operation underway | 3 drug peddlers arrested, 10.55 gram heroin like substance recovered | Madr-e-Meharban taught us to support helpless and needy: Babu Rampaul | Delhi High Court quashes Bogus Hockey J&K Elections held on 31st May 2025 | Notorious drug peddler behind cars, contraband Heroin recovered | DHSJ convenes comprehensive District-Level Review Meeting of Health Programmes | Appointment letters were given to 237 candidates in Jammu Division under Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Mela | Malala Day was celebrated by Innerwheel club, Jammu Sampark | Foreign National apprehended by Katra police | MoU signed between GDC Majalta, GDC Neeli Nallah for Academic Collaboration | MCM holds 10-day certificate course in English literature | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of medical Excellence hosts Jammu Obstetrics, Gynaecological Society | LPU prepares future Forensic experts through industry-aligned , skill-driven programs | Rescue of Pangolin by troops of Gigrial Battalion along the International Border | Tourism becomes cornerstone of new Uttar Pradesh’s growth in new India | 2nd meeting of the Board of Governors Sardar Beant Singh State University, Gurdaspur held | Civil society demands transparency, cardiac emergency, audit of medical referral practices: Balvinder | Nukkad Natak organised to promote cleanliness, safety awareness | Indian Army pays Tribute to Kargil Vijay martyrs | Netball Association of JK announces trails | CS reviews implementation of welfare schemes for marginalized sections across J&K | Rana asks for upgrades in Gujjar-Bakerwal Hostels; reviews facilities in hostels | Reasi police detain 3 drug addicts under preventive action | Reasi police swiftly recovers lost valuable of tourists visiting Katra | Rattan Lal slams Suvendu Adhikari’s Divisive Statement on Kashmir | Dalai Lama arrives in Ladakh for month-long stay after two years | Celebrity stunt biker with 35 pending challans booked | Indian legal system is badly in need of fixing, says CJI Gavai | Back Issues  
 
news details
Opening of Qazigund- Banihal tunnel in limbo
Project completed a month ago, awaits GOI’s nod for inauguration
5/11/2021 12:35:51 AM
Early Times Report

Jammu, May 10: Amid the drastic spike in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, the opening of the much-hyped and awaited Qazigund-Banihal tunnel has been kept in limbo. There are no dates being predicted over when such a vital project will be thrown open for vehicular traffic on crucial Srinagar- Jammu National Highway.
At present, the condition of the NH-44 is such that one has to cross the Jawahar Tunnel from the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to reach Kashmir from various parts of the country by road. The new tunnel will become an alternative to Jawahar Tunnel and that although heavy snowfall and landslides occur at many places on the highway, most of this problem comes between Banihal and Qazigund.
However, after the inauguration of the tunnel, NH44 will almost become an all-weather highway, reducing time and distance to a great extent.
The Banihal section is considered as the most treacherous of all portions due to its geology and an extensive ravine system replete with deep gorges. The traffic chaos is often throwing the highway out of the gear, halting the vehicular movement sometimes for days altogether.
Qazigund-Banihal tunnel is 8.5 km long at an elevation of 1,790 m (5,870 ft) in Pir Panjal range in J&K and is set to reduce the total distance by 16 kilometers. It is being constructed by Indian infrastructure major Navayuga Engineering Co. (NEC) at a cost of around Rs 2000 crore.
Meanwhile, the opening of this tunnel has been put on back burner by the drastic rise in COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir and in the rest of the country.
Earlier, there were reports that the tunnel will be thrown open for vehicular traffic by or before March 31 as almost all preparations for its inauguration have been completed. “More than 96 percent has been completed. There have been clear cut directions issued by the National Highways Authority of India that the remaining 4 percent of the pending work must be completed by next week so that the tunnel could be inaugurated by March 31. There are no second thoughts about it. The government is severely strict vis-à-vis the timely completion of the project,” a senior official associated with the project had earlier told this newspaper.
Reports then had informed that the four lanes had been built in the tunnel. It also has two tubes like the Jawahar Tunnel. While one is for the departure of vehicles and the other one is for their arrival. The official added that heavy and large vehicles will also be able to pass easily within the tunnel and that if one tube has to be closed for military needs, the other tube will be able to move two-sided vehicles simultaneously. According to the official, safe passage corridors have been built inside the tunnel to go from one tube to another tube after every 500 meters. They can be used in any emergency situation, said the senior official.
  Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network  
  Comment on this Story  
 
 
 
Early Times Android App
STOCK UPDATE
  
BSE Sensex
NSE Nifty
 
CRICKET UPDATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Home About Us Top Stories Local News National News Sports News Opinion Editorial ET Cetra Advertise with Us ET E-paper
 
 
J&K RELATED WEBSITES
J&K Govt. Official website
Jammu Kashmir Tourism
JKTDC
Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board
Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board
UTILITY
Train Enquiry
IRCTC
Matavaishnodevi
BSNL
Jammu Kashmir Bank
State Bank of India
PUBLIC INTEREST
Passport Department
Income Tax Department
JK CAMPA
JK GAD
IT Education
Web Site Design Services
EDUCATION
Jammu University
Jammu University Results
JKBOSE
Kashmir University
IGNOU Jammu Center
SMVDU