The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has submitted a proposal to the ministry of road transport and highways for construction for a EUR1.19 billion (Rs9,000-crore) 18 km long road tunnel. The tunnel will start from the Razdhan pass and will connect to Gurez city in the northern part of the state-of Jammu & Kashmir.

Gurez, a picturesque valley in Bandipora district, is located along the Line of Control (LoC) and remains cut off from the rest of Kashmir during winter months due to heavy snowfall. The Line of Control (LoC) is the military control line and the de facto border  between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of the Kashmir and Jammu region. 

The 18km long tunnel, will reduce the isolation of the populations living in the Northern side of the Razdhan Pass, which is closed off in winter time. The project plan shows a single-bore tunnel, with two-lanes, a large ventilation cavern is located in the middle of tunnel. There will also be an escape or safety tunnel provided parallel to the main one and connected to it by cross-passages. A feasibility study had already been conducted for the Gurez tunnel and, if constructed, it will be the longest in the country.

BRO had also submitted a proposal for three more strategically important tunnels to be constructed in Indian Kashmir. These include a 6.5-km tunnel at Sadhna that will improve connectivity with the Tangdhar area (along the LoC) in Kupwara district. Another will be at Furkian in the Keran Sector and a 3.5-km tunnel for Zamindar Gali in the Macchil Sector. Tangdhar, Keran and Macchil which are areas of Kupwara district fall along the Line of Control and also remain cut off from rest of the state due to heavy snowfall during the winter. Feasibility studies on these three projects will be conducted once approval is given by the Union Ministry. For further information visit http://www.bro.gov.in/. 08/16.