Jawahar Tunnel set to get new look

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 8

The Project Beacon has taken up modernisation of the Jawahar Tunnel that connects the Jammu region with Kashmir on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

“The modernisation is mainly aimed at making it safer for road users,” Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, Brig AK Das said. The Project Beacon has been entrusted with the responsibility of the maintenance and upkeep of the 2.9 km-long Jawahar Tunnel.

The Project Beacon has taken up many steps by using advance technology required in the modernisation of the over 60-year-old tunnel.

Brig Das said the tunnel was the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir and the maintenance strategy was being followed to ensure the movement of traffic was not impeded even during the winters.

“Security, safety, surveillance and mobility gadgets are being installed in the tunnel to give it a new look,” he said.

Brig AK Das said 322 energy-efficient and long-life LED lights were fitted in both the tubes of the tunnel, including interconnecting tubes, and common areas like approaches and exists, control room, etc. Around 35 close circuit television cameras were put in place inside both the tubes, diversion tubes and interconnecting tube, with centralised viewing in the control room.

The Chief Engineer added that a 750 KVA transformer was fitted in the tunnel to ensure round-the-clock uninterrupted power supply.

The Chief Engineer pointed out that five defective jet fans and two defective axial flow fans on the exit of both the tubes were set right, which according to him would get the tunnels rid of smoke coming out of the vehicles.