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| Singhpora - Vailoo tunnel still a distant dream as officials sleeping over files | | | ASIF IQBAL NAIK
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Aug 26: Though the decks for the construction of 5 km long Singpora-Vailoo tunnel on Kishtwar-Anantnag- road were cleared three years ago by the Government of India who has given a go ahead to the construction of this prestigious connectivity but this project is still a distant dream for the local inhabitants as officials at the helm of the affairs are sleeping over the files.
The project will provide direct as well as all-weather connectivity between Kishtwar District of Jammu Division and Anantnag District Kashmir region, beside will also reduce the distance of around 80 kms between Kishtwar Headquarter and remotest Sub Division of Marwah as well to summer capital Srinagar.
As per the details available with Early Times, the PDP-BJP government in principal agreed to construction of the 5 km long Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel, but due to breaking of alliance between the BJP and PDP, the construction of the tunnel hit the road block.
The sources said that after getting go ahead for this prestigious tunnel project it was slated to be completed within the period of two years as Centre government has agreed to provide the funds for construction of this tunnel which is the part of center’s mega push to increase the road connectivity in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as the tunnel is one among the 9 tunnels approved by the Government of India. The locals said that former Congress Minister & local MLA from Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori first informed them about the construction of Singhpora - Vailoo tunnel some 12 years ago, adding that its construction still looks a distant dream for them but they are hopeful that one day it will be taken up for execution.
They said that its construction as can lift the socio-economic condition of the poor people living on both sides of the proposed tunnel.
The people urged upon the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, LG Manoj Sinha and local MP and MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh to clear this project without any further delay beside direct the officials to speed up the formalities for construction of this vital tunnel since its Detailed Project Report has already been submitted to the concerned authorities.
The locals also rued non-serious approach of tourism department for their failure to tap the vast tourism potential of the area.
The locals laid stress for sanctioning of special package under tourism sector for the Singhpora area which will act as a transit camp for the people traveling to Kashmir or Marwah Sub Division.
It is in place to mention here that this road project was earlier opposed tooth and nail by the BJP and the RSS lobby who feared cultural eroding of the local culture and seen it as a part of Greater Kashmir envisaged under “Dixon plan”, but PDP successfully managed to convince the BJP at state and centre that the road project will not only provide alternative Road connectivity to Kashmir valley, but will also become the alternative supply line for Army, Amarnath Yatris as the existing Jammu - Srinagar National Highway witnesses blockade during winter months and rainy season. The project will also help the government in easy transportation of the power from upcoming power projects in Kishtwar to Kashmir valley at cheaper rates. |
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