Despite thick snow, Rohtang tunnel work goes on

MC Thakur

MANALI, JANUARY 19

In its quest to complete the tunnel work before the deadline and for the benefit of the local people of Manali and Lahaul-Spiti, the work at the South Portal of Rohtang tunnel is continuing round the clock uninterruptedly in spite of heavy snowfall.

The tunnel is first among the four to be constructed by the BRO to make Manali-Leh an all-weather route, enabling the traffic to ply between Manali and Leh throughout the year without getting troubled by the closure of the 13,050-high-Rohtang Pass for six months in winter.

The other tunnels are Baralachala (11.25 km), Nakila- Lachungla (14.75 km), Tanglangla (7.48 km) and Shinkula (4.15 km). Feasibility study is in progress for Baralachala tunnel by the Rohtang Tunnel Project authorities. Feasibility study of other tunnels on the Manali - Leh road will also be undertaken shortly. All the tunnels will be of two lanes with an additional emergency tunnel and state-of-the-art modern safety features, said Brig D N Bhatt, Chief Engineer, Project, Rohtang Tunnel.

While speaking to The Tribune, Brig Bhatt said whole-hearted efforts were being put by all concerned to achieve breakthrough in July 2017. To achieve the objective not even a day’s work has been allowed to be stopped despite heavy snowfall.

The Chief Engineer further added that in spite of the odds, the project achieved the highest progress in the calendar year 2016. The work on the tunnel started in 2010. The progress during the previous year is 2241.45 m (1677.05m in south portal and 564.4m in north portal).

The work at the North Portal is carried out only for six months due to the closure of Rohtang Pass due to snow. As of now 7.6 km of the 8.8 km tunnel work has been completed. This was achieved while following high safety norms.

The Chief Engineer said to make sure that the tunnel work is monitored properly two officers have been posted at the site. Lal Mani Singh has joined after doing his post-graduation in Rock Engineering and Under Ground Structures from IIT Delhi and Praveen Goel has joined after a deputation with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). He has rich experience of tunneling.