CM lays foundation stone of permanent solution on Bardang troublespot
Sikkim Express: www.sikkimexpress.com
CM with BRO Officials during laying of foundation stone of tunnel at 20 Mile, Singtam
RANGPO, November 11: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today called upon the Army, Border Roads Organization (BRO) and State government officials to evolve a collective mechanism for protection of environment in the biodiversity rich State of Sikkim.
Our lakes and water resources along with nature should not be disturbed while carrying out developmental and other activities, asserted Chamling after laying the foundation stone for a ‘cut and cover’ tunnel along NH 31A at Bardang.
The Chief Minister stressed on prevention of dumping of mud and debris into the sacred Tsogmo Lake during construction works by the BRO. He urged the BRO to help the State government in the State Green Mission for which the organization will be provided with free saplings, since they are the development partners of the State.
Commending the efforts of the BRO to provide round-the-clock road connectivity to the people of the State, Chamling called for timely completion of various projects. He said that with the State having good roads, both the State government and BRO will be appreciated by the visiting tourists and others. Besides, these will also bring lots of employment opportunities, he said urging the BRO officials to ensure that the local youth also get employment as muster-roll workers as well as those doing contractual jobs.
The 80 meter, 8 meter wide and 9 meters high U-shaped double lane tunnel is expected to be completed by 2012 at an estimated cost of around Rs. 6.8 crores This combined with another tunnel at Likhuvir, having a length of 1.2 kilometers and a number of bridges proposed along the National Highway 31A will not only ensure round the clock vehicular traffic along the highway but will also end the era of frequent isolation of this land-locked State due to landslides during the monsoons, BRO said.
The‘cut and cover’ structure proposal has been conceptualized by Project Swastik as a permanent solution to the troublesome stretch along NH 31A at Bardang.
Project Swastik which looks after the road connectivity need of Sikkim has been taking up a number of cases with the Ministry in order to tackle all the trouble spots along the highway to provide smooth traffic along NH 31A around the year
Bardang road stretch was a major trouble spot where the highway gets closed frequently every year due to landslides during the monsoon seasons. The highway is kept open at this location by removing muck, debris and by constructing wall along the hill face as a temporary measure.
“Project Swastik has charted a long term plan to address all bottlenecks along the national highways. The proactive stance adopted by the State government gives a boost to Project Swastik to speed up the work and get more sanctions for further improvements”, the BRO said.
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