Work on Rohtang tunnel’s north portal set to begin

MC Thakur

MANALI, MAY 4

Despite unprecedented rains and snowfall, the work at the Rohtang Tunnel Project at North Portal near Sissu in Lahaul Valley is set begin on schedule, said Brig DN Bhatt, Chief Engineer, Project Rohtang Tunnel, today. This is after the opening of the 13,050-ft-high Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti, in April end.

All efforts are being made to commence the work at North Portal latest by May 15 and achieve the breakthrough by September end or the first half of October 2017. The team of the contractor has already reached North Portal to start preliminary works and digging is planned to be commenced by May 15.

Stating this while interacting with The Tribune Brig DN Bhatt, said every year North Portal remained close for six months during winters due to closure of Rohtang Pass. The work of Rohtang Tunnel progressed well during the entire winter in spite of heavy snowfall and a large number of avalanches witnessed on the approach road to the South Portal. The tunnel project works did not stop even for one day at South Portal during the entire winter till date and the same has been going on in 24-hour cycle.

The Chief Engineer further said at present the tunnel work at South Portal is passing through a crucial phase. Presence of poor rock strata had made it very difficult to achieve the desired pace. However, efforts are being made to cover up delay due to these geological and weather related problems by working in three shifts (24 hrs) instead of two shifts.

Brig DN Bhatt said as on May 4, out of 8.85-km tunnel, the digging had been completed for 7.92 km. A 930-m stretch is left before any breakthrough could be achieved. At present pace it will take approximately 5 months. However, if there is an improvement of rock quality during digging of the remaining 930-m stretch the breakthrough may be achieved earlier.