Pithoragarh: Construction begins on the 150km road that will make it easy for armed forces to reach China border. The work on the all-weather road in Uttarakhand has begun with the construction of the 150 km Tanakpur-Pithoragarh stretch which will make it easier for the armed forces to mobilize troops and armaments to the India-China border. The section is a part of the ‘All-Weather Roads Project’ launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the state assembly polls earlier this year.
It is likely to be completed by 2019. Mobilization of forces and their armaments to the last posts on the India-China border in times of emergency will be much easier from the Tanakpur rail-head after the 150-km stretch is completed, officials associated with the project said.
“Construction of the 150-km long Tanakpur to Pithoragarh road is being carried out on war footing to meet the set time the 2019 deadline. The deadline is likely to be easily met as the route has no over bridges or tunnels,” said LD Mathela, executive engineer of NH 125. The officials say that the nature of the soil in Kumaon, as well as the cost involved, are not suitable for building the tunnel and over bridges. Non-availability of non-rocky hill portion along the route is also a reason why no tunnels or over bridges are being built on the stretch.
The cost of the road is nearly to 1,065 crores without including three bypasses.
The road is being constructed under the Engineering Procurement and construction module in which the project design, outlines will be availed by the construction company, said Mathela.
Four companies are assigned to do construction of the road. These companies are selected after the scrutiny of valuing experience in construction of all-weather roads.
The sources say that the 12-meter wide road would be constructed by 2019 for which time and cost has been fixed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). To make it weather resistant equal significance is given for the protection of sliding portions of the road. 7000 trees should be deracinated for the construction of the roads.
Once built it will be able to bear the weight and width of all defense armaments required at the time of an emergency at border posts along the India-China border which is 200km from the tail of the all-weather road in Pithoragarh town.
Post Your Comments