Panthyal — labeled as one of the most troubled spots along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is finally going to be history from March 15 as the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is all set to operationalise the 800-metre-long bypass tunnel T-5 to ensure smooth flow of traffic through the most treacherous stretch. After throwing open the T-5 tunnel, the NHAI would be focusing its energy on the timely launch of another tunnel connecting Peerah and Kunfer on NH-44 by this month’s end.
In the recent months several commuters lost their lives in freak accidents involving falling stones. The regular commuters also faced many hardships due to prolonged delays on account of massive mudslides and frequent disruption of traffic.
Ramban Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mussarat Islam on Tuesday in a tweet said, "Panthyal’s critical stretch on National Highway-44 will be diverted through Tunnel T-5 tomorrow. Quite historic".
Acknowledging the efforts of engineers and workers who labored hard 24x7 to ensure timely completion of the construction work Mussarat Islam posted another tweet after inspecting the construction site, "National Highway-44’s Safety Valve! As the clock ticks down, witness the drive that captures mopping up works inside Tunnel T-5. With this diversion, Panthyal’s treacherous stretch will be omitted forever. Put your hands together for the brave men-at-work".
"800-metre-long T5 tunnel on Panthyal stretch of the highway is set to be thrown open by March 15 while Kunfer tunnel is also expected to be completed by March 31, besides double lane of Ramban flyover and Banihal bypass to be completed by April 15 this year," official sources said.
According to the NHAI, "Pavement Quality Concrete work has started in the 925 meter long Tunnel T1 from Peerah to Kunfer in Udhampur-Ramban section of NH-44 in J&K. The tunnel will reduce the distance of this section by 2.98 km and is expected to be commissioned by March 31."
All these tunnels are a part of the highway realignment project, which would put an end to the ghost of shooting stones and disruption of traffic.
