Challenging project in hilly terrain and snowstorms
Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) has won a contract to construct the Z-Morh tunnel to Zojilla tunnel between Sonamarg-Kargil on National Highway-1 in the Zojilla pass area.
This complex EPC project was secured for Rs.4,509.50 crore in a bid called by the National Highways and Industrial Development Corporation (NHIDCL).
The Zojilla Tunnel is to be built in the shape of a horseshoe shape of 14.15-km as a two-road lane of 9.5 meters wide and 7.57 meters high. The tunnel will be built 700 meters below the surface on average.
The project is also in the most complex hilly terrain and snowstorms often occurring. As the dense snow lasts for at least eight months in a year, the execution work will not be an easy task.
At the same time, a river flows adjacent to the proposed project site. These conditions are going to create severe problems with water and ice pouring during the construction, said MEIL, explaining the challenge project in a release on 21 August 2020.
MEIL Director Ch. Subbaiah said, “A two-lane road with bi-directional traffic would have to be constructed on the Zojilla route, which is called a Single Tube tunnel.
“The road consists mainly of shafts as well as portal structures and excavated areas. This complex project would have to be completed in just 72 months,” he said.
This whole project has to executed in two parts. The first part is 18.50-km of road, and the second part is 14.15-km of a tunnel.
The first part is to widen the existing road form Judd-Morha to Zojilla tunnel for about 3.018-km, followed by a 13.842-km new road.
Of this, one of the twin tour tunnels is 2.36-km and the other one is 2.39-km including five bridges.
Two snow galleries are to be built with 300 meters and 150 meters each. The total length of these is 18.475-km.
In the same way, the Zojilla tunnel in Part-2 is to be built. It includes a 0.16-km long cut and cover tunnel.
Ventilation cavern and three shafts are also to be constructed.
Two other shafts, known as Longitudinal Ventilation System, will also be constructed. These include a special transport ventilation system.
Subbaiah elaborated, “In addition to these, retaining walls, breast walls, gabion structures and a mud wall will have to be constructed by MEIL for a total of about 10-km.
Catch dams, air blast, protection walls and deflector dams are to be constructed over a distance of about 6-km without any risk of snowstorms.
Established in 1989, MEIL is one of the fastest growing infra companies in India. #tunnel #bridges #projects #tenders #construction #infrastructure /fiinews.com
