Despite claims that local laborers and engineers possessing expertise in tunneling are assisting them in meeting their target ahead of schedule, Mega Engineering and Industries Limited (MEIL), a Hyderabad-based company in charge of the project, claims that the project is on track to be completed ahead of schedule.
Hundreds of Kashmiris are currently engaged in the construction of the strategically important Zojila Tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity between the Ladakh region and the rest of the nation.
Despite claims that local laborers and engineers possessing expertise in tunneling are assisting them in meeting their target ahead of schedule, Mega Engineering and Industries Limited (MEIL), a Hyderabad-based company in charge of the project, claims that the project is on track to be completed ahead of schedule.
Jammu and Kashmir is home to 900 of the 1000 men who are working on the tunnel, which is 13 kilometers long.
“I’ve learned by persevering and putting in the necessary effort.” For me, operating a machine such as a hydraulic rig is not a difficult task at all. “I have no fear when I am drilling in the middle of a tunnel,” said Baba Latief, a resident of Bandipora, who lives near the mine.
Over the last 20 years, workers claim to have been involved in major projects in the areas of railways, roads, and power in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have a great deal of experience working on tunneling projects.” “This is my fourth such project,” said Sartaj Ahmad of Anantnag, who is installing the tunnel’s piping systems. “I’m capable of handling piping, motor use, and so on.”
More than half of the 200 engineers work in the area and live in the area as well.
There are three geological formations that we come across.” According to Merajudin, a geological expert, “Right now, we’re in the Zojila formation, which is the most difficult formation.”
As workers race against the clock to meet the deadline, project managers recognize and appreciate the contributions of locals.
Three geological formations are encountered on our journey. According to Merajudin, a geological expert, “Right now, we’re in the Zojila formation, which is the most difficult formation.”
As workers race against the clock to meet the deadline, project managers recognize and appreciate the contributions of locals.
“I’m putting my entire trust in them.” They are producing an incredible amount of material for me. They also occasionally go above and beyond my expectations. According to project manager Harpal Singh, “if I believe six meters of tunneling is possible today, they believe seven meters is possible the next morning.”
Even during Kashmir’s harsh winters, the hard work of local workers may have contributed to the completion of India’s strategically important and prestigious project ahead of schedule, according to the Indian government.
A never-ending nightmare exists right now for anyone trying to travel between Srinagar and Leh via the Kargil district, where India fought a war with Pakistan in 1999.
Crossing the Zojila pass, which is 11,500 feet above sea level, is an excruciatingly painful experience. The pass, which is closed for 5 months of the year due to snowfall, is also narrow, and getting stuck in traffic jams in the dusty, high-altitude pass is something that happens on a daily basis in the region.
The project will also improve the logistics support provided by the Indian Armed Forces to soldiers on the frontlines in Pakistan and China, allowing them to remain well-supplied all year.
