Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday inspected the Sungal Tunnel while on his return journey from Rajouri to Jammu, taking stock of the pace of ongoing construction and directing officials to expedite the remaining work.
During the on-site inspection, officials briefed the Chief Minister that the tunnel is nearing completion and is expected to be thrown open to all vehicular traffic in the near future. They informed him that essential services, including ambulances, are already being permitted passage through the tunnel to ensure emergency movement is not hindered while construction is finalised.
The Sungal Tunnel has been among the key infrastructure projects being watched closely by residents of the Jammu region, given its potential to significantly ease travel along one of the more challenging stretches connecting Rajouri with Jammu city. Once operational, the tunnel is expected to cut travel time considerably, improve connectivity for remote and hill areas, and reduce the risks associated with the existing route, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of completing the remaining works in a time-bound manner so that the tunnel can be made fully operational for public use at the earliest. His visit comes amid a broader push by the Government to accelerate connectivity projects across the Jammu region, many of which have faced delays due to terrain challenges and seasonal disruptions.
Officials associated with the project indicated that the final phases of work are being closely monitored, with safety clearances and finishing works among the remaining priorities before the tunnel can be declared fit for unrestricted traffic. The Chief Minister’s on-ground review is being seen as part of his continuing effort to personally track the progress of critical infrastructure projects across the Union Territory, particularly those with direct bearing on connectivity and emergency access for remote populations.
Authorities have been directed to ensure that safety and quality are not compromised even as the timeline for completion is pushed forward, with regular progress updates sought from the executing agencies overseeing the project.
