JAMMU, Sept 11: The long-delayed Singhpora–Vailoo twin-tube tunnel project under Sinthan Pass is finally set to move forward, with the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) inviting bids for its construction along the Kishtwar–Vailoo–Khanabal section of National Highway-244.
Estimated to cost Rs 3,567.51 crore, the ambitious project is aimed at establishing an all-weather road link between Kishtwar in the Chenab Valley and Anantnag in south Kashmir, providing an alternative to the Sinthan Top route that often remains closed during winter due to heavy snowfall.
According to the Notice Inviting Bid issued by NHIDCL, the 38.611-km highway package will be executed in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The project has a stipulated construction period of 60 months, followed by a 120-month maintenance period.
The package includes construction of two tunnel tubes measuring 10.331 km and 10.363 km, besides approach roads and other associated infrastructure.
The project will connect Chhatroo in Kishtwar with Vailoo in Anantnag. The eastern approach from Chhatroo to the tunnel portal will cover 17.088 km, while the western approach towards Vailoo will extend for 11.160 km, including the portal section.
The eastern portal near Singhpora in Kishtwar is proposed at an elevation of around 2,243 metres, while the western portal at Gadole will be located at approximately 2,404 metres.
The tunnel will feature a nine-metre carriageway, footpaths and dedicated emergency facilities. The two tubes will be linked through cross-passages at intervals of around 500 metres to facilitate pedestrian movement and emergency evacuation.
Project documents provide for 20 cross-passages, each measuring 6.1 metres in width and 18.5 metres in length.
The tunnel will be equipped with semi-transverse ventilation, fire detection and firefighting systems, CCTV surveillance, emergency communication facilities, traffic management systems, lighting, drainage and waterproofing arrangements.
Fire hydrants will be installed at 250-metre intervals, along with hose connections and fire extinguishers at shorter intervals to strengthen emergency response arrangements.
Besides the main tunnel, the project includes construction of approach roads, bridges, viaducts, culverts, drainage systems, safety installations and other ancillary infrastructure.
As many as 21 major and minor bridges, viaducts and viaduct-cum-bridge structures have been proposed, with the longest being a 1,345-metre viaduct at design chainage 139+660.
The approach roads will be developed as two-lane highways with paved shoulders. Roadside and catch drains spanning about 26 km and 28 km, respectively, are also part of the project.
The tunnel is proposed to conform to relevant Indian and international standards, including applicable IRC guidelines for road tunnels, CIE standards for tunnel lighting and NFPA provisions concerning fire safety.
The Vailoo–Singhpora tunnel project was approved in 2017 and reaffirmed in 2021, but faced repeated delays over the years.
Once completed, the tunnel is expected to provide a dependable all-weather alternative to the Sinthan Top route, improve connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Chenab region, reduce travel time and facilitate the movement of passengers and goods.
The project is also expected to promote tourism, trade and economic activity in both regions while strengthening strategic and inter-regional connectivity along NH-244.
