Umaiser Gul Ganaie
Srinagar, May 14: Director General of Border Roads Organization (BRO), Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan Tuesday said that the road along Baltal has been widened and other measures have been taken to ensure smooth passage to the Amarnath Yatris. He also added that the 200 kilometre Akhnoor-Poonch road after completion is set to reduce the travel time by nearly three hours.
Pertinently, the construction of a pivotal infrastructure project on National Highway 144A connecting Akhnoor with Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday with a breakthrough in the Sungal tunnel.
The tunnel spanning 2,790 metres is a crucial link connecting Akhnoor with Poonch. The Akhnoor-Poonch road, or ‘The Golden Arc Road’, is an old and highly-strategic 200 Km stretch connecting South Kashmir/Jammu region with the West of J&K.
Talking to reporters, Director General BRO said that a major breakthrough has been achieved by completing the 2.79 kilometre Sungal tunnel, one among the four, coming up along Akhnoor-Poonch road. “Four tunnels are coming including Kandi tunnel 260 meters, Sungal tunnel 2.79 kms, Nowshehra tunnel 700 meters and another 1.1 kilometre tunnel. The road stretch is having a great significance as the route was being used by the neighbouring country to support terrorism and thus the tunnels are of a great strategic importance as well,” he said.
He added that the 200 kilometre road stretch is expected to be completed by this year only, adding that the developed roads help a nation to progress in every aspect.
Furthermore, he stated that the Baltal road has been completely widened and for the smooth passage to the yatries.
Director General of BRO said that the pilgrims intending to visit the holy Amarnath cave shrine will be witnessing enhanced tracks as the road leading to the case has been widened completely.
“We were tasked last year to widen the track, which is essential for ensuring the wellbeing of the pilgrims. We have finally completed the widening process and besides other issues like laying of roadside railings and sidewalls at the vulnerable locations have been completed,” he said, adding that the yatries including the elderly will experience a smooth passage to the cave this year.
