With ceremonial blast, work started for the 1.574-km long tunnel at Khellani in Doda

Doda: District Development Commissioner Doda, Vikas Sharma on Thursday kick started the execution of the Khellani tunnel project on National Highway 244, being constructed by National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) through its contractor APCO Infra- Tech Pvt. Ltd.

The Ceremonial blast for the 1.574-KM tunnel project exploded at 4pm.

The estimated cost of this Khellani Tunnel Project is Rs. 431.28 crore and it is expected to be completed in the next two years. It is being constructed by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.

The tunnel is crucial for the Sudhmahadev- Goha – Khalleni – Chhatroo – Khambal project. This is one of the tunnels planned on NH 244 which is in nascent stage of construction. Besides this there are going to be four more tunnels which are coming up in due course of time.

The road has been planned to reduce the travelling time for the inhabitants of Doda and Kishtwar Districts both to Srinagar and Jammu.

The Executive Director R.K.Singh from Regional Office, Jammu , NHIDCL briefed the press about the scope of the project. This project is being carried out under the guidance of General Manager-Doda, NHIDCL & his team of officers namely S.S. Parihar and Saurav Deo.