New Delhi: A fierce competition has begun between two government institutions – Bro and NHIDCL – move in building highways and tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and in the Northeast.
While in J & K, the two institutions were eyeing to get the same stretch under UT giving for development, in Assam the two entities were parally preparing two project reports for twin tunnels under the Brahmaputra.
The problem of J & K Roads appeared at a recent meeting chaired by Governor Lt Manoj Sinha who had urged the Director General (road) to sort out the problem between two organizations, said the source.
Toi has learned that the UT provides tasks of seven of the 11 road projects to road border organizations (bro) and because the upheaval of the remaining four works had been included in the delay.
Source said Sinha marked concern at a review meeting where officials from Bro, the Ministry of Road Transportation and NHIDCL were present.
The source also said NHIIDCL had taken the task of preparing a project report for tunnels in Khardung-la, Fotu-la and Namki-la passed Ladakh, although stretches had been entrusted to bro.
“All of this results in two organizations preparing different plans for the same stretch despite the focus of the government for the planning and implementation of integrated infrastructure projects,” said a central government official.
Likewise, these two institutions are preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for twin-tube tunnels under the mighty Brahmaputra in Assam.
While NHIDCL is preparing the DPR for a 15.6 km twin-tube tunnel, Bro is preparing a similar train-cum-cum-highway tunnel.
Good agency claims that their DPR is on the advanced level.
Tunnel NHIDCL plans to connect Gohpur with Numaligarh in Assam while the Bro project plans to connect the very important Misamari and Tezpur.
The problem of tunnels proposed by NHIDCL appeared at a meeting chaired by the secretary of the recent road transportation.
He has directed the NHIDCL implementing director to discuss this issue with the defense chief of staff for ratification because this is a “very important” proposal before preparing a draft record for security.
According to the minutes of the meeting, NHIIDCL claimed that when the problem of two tunnel projects was brought before the Ministry of Defense, it was decided that Bro should not continue further because the DPR NHIDCL was in the final stage.
During his recent visit to Delhi, Chairman of the Minister of Assam Himanta Buswa Sarma had urged Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to approve the river tunnel under Bro.
Tezpur is the headquarters of the Arunachal Pradesh overseeing 4 Arunachal and the gateway to Tawang on the Indian-Chinese border.
Recently, the two institutions have prepared two proposals for other tunnels in Shinkun-La Pass on Ladakh.
But the Ministry of Defense surrendered to the bro proposal.