MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Kashmir government minister, Sardar Javed Ayoub, has demanded immediate restoration and implementation of tunnel construction projects on the Neelum Valley road.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Anwarul Haq, the minister noted that the construction of two tunnels at Kahori-Kamser and Challapani sections of Neelum Road has been put on hold.
The project was proposed by the Azad Kashmir government to address the daily issues of severe landsliding on the Muzaffarabad-Neelum road, and the National Highway Authority (NHA) was tasked to take up the project under the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) financing.
As per details, the project involves constructing two tunnels, one at Kahori/Kamser (approximately 3.7 km) and another at Challapani (approximately 0.6 km).
The project is estimated at Rs. 9,018.050 million, including a foreign exchange component (FEC) of Rs. 7,895.198 million, to be funded by SFD and a local share of Rs. 1,122.852 million through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
In this letter, the state minister added that the project is currently on hold as the Additional Chief Secretary AJK, in various meetings in EAD, has conveyed that “tunnel construction is not feasible now and recommended in view of the prevailing geological conditions in the surrounding areas.”
He has urged the premier to restore and immediately implement the project and add it again to the PSDP.
