The renovation work of the historic Jawahar Tunnel connecting Jammu and Kashmir has been completed. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) carried out the renovation work of the tunnel. BRO said that high-tech surveillance equipment has been installed for security.
The 2.5 km long Jawahar Tunnel in Banihal is used as an alternative route on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Now all the modern equipment has been installed to keep this tunnel operational for a long time.
After taking stock of the work, during an interview with 760 BRTF Commander Amiya Srivastava said that the hi-tech security, surveillance and infrastructure inside the tunnel has been improved.
The work, which started in July last year, focused on improving the surface by laying concrete on both sides of the tunnel.
Commander Amiya said that apart from all the modern gadgets, ventilation jet fans and excellent lighting have been arranged to monitor the performance of the tunnel.
The cost of this renovation work was Rs 62.50 crore and the entire work was completed in just 18 months.
Commander Amiya said that the need for renovation was felt since 2010 as both the tunnels were facing massive leakage problems which had deteriorated the road surface.
To overcome this problem and make it a state-of-the-art tunnel, a DPR was prepared by Border Roads.
Let us tell you that the movement of trucks carrying fuel tankers, LPG cylinders and other explosive materials is closed in the new tunnel.
The tunnel, built by a German engineering company in 1954 at an altitude of 2200 meters on the Pir Panjal ranges, was the only route to connect Kashmir with the rest of India until 2022.