Stresses on employment opportunities to locals in tunnel construction works to boost local economy

KARGIL, MAY 23, 2021: Member Parliament (MP) Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal inspected the pace of progress on the ongoing works of Zojila Tunnel on the National Highway NH-01 at Meenamarg here today.

General Manager (GM), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Ashwini Kumar, General Manager (GM), Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, Councillor Cha Stanzin Lakpa, Sub Divisional Magistrate Drass Asgar Ali besides other concerned officers accompanied the MP Ladakh during the visit.

While inquiring from the concerned officers about the current position of the work progress of Zojila Tunnel, the MP Ladakh was informed that the whole tunnel is around 14.15 km long and presently the work is under progress in full swing from Meenamarg on the eastern side.

Giving details of the progress achieved till date, the officers concerned said that the full portal stabilization and portal development has been done and the rock cutting has been completed around 2 meters inside the tunnel, while from the western side at Baltal, portal slope stabilization is also in progress.

The MP Ladakh said that the tunnel will not only benefit the Ladakhis but will be a great step in the process of nation building. He urged the GM, MEIL to provide employment opportunities to the locals in the tunnel construction works on priority to boost the local economy.  

The officers concerned informed the MP Ladakh that among other works being executed, there will be 2 major bridges and 1 minor bridge, avalanche galleries at different avalanche locations and 3 vertical shafts at Shaitan Nallah, Gumri and at Zero Point.

The GM, MEIL informed on the occasion that the completion time of the tunnel is September, 2026.

Later, MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal during his visit to Drass Sub Division took stock of the patient care facilities at Sub District Hospital (SDH) Drass.

The MP inspected different sections of the hospital and inquired from the officers concerned about the healthcare and medicare facilities being provided to the patients and expressed satisfaction on the status of infrastructure and upgraded medical equipments at the health center.

MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal also inspected the ongoing works on the construction of the 50 bedded new OPD block and the establishment of the oxygen plant at the SDH.

The officers concerned informed the MP that construction works of the new OPD block as well as the establishment of oxygen plant is in the final stages and are expected to be handed over to the Health Department by the end of May, 2021. It was further given out that the oxygen plant with the capacity of 100 liters per minute (LPM) will have adequate oxygen supply to cater to the regular requirements at the SDH.

Meanwhile, the MP also interacted with the doctors and paramedical staff and hailed their round the clock untiring services. The doctors and health workers of the SDH projected their issues and demands to the MP Ladakh which included among other demands the posting of Gynecologist, Surgeon, Orthopaedician and Anesthetist at the health center.

Later, a number of public representatives and individuals met the MP Ladakh and apprised him about various developmental needs and demands which included among others the posting of doctors, provision of ambulances and round the clock power supply at the SDH Drass, provision of adequate power supply from Marpochu Hydel Project, steps for promotion of winter sports, installation of mobile telecom towers in uncovered villages, posting of SDM at Drass, helicopter services during winter months and other related demands.

MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal during his visit to the Meenamarg Screening Point inspected the availability of necessary infrastructure and other logistics for the screening and sample collection of inbound passengers at the screening centers.

The MP Ladakh inquired from the concerned officers about the screening facilities and other logistics established at the screening point. The concerned officers informed the MP that around 1500 to 2000 RT-CPR and RAT tests of the inbound passengers are presently done daily at the screening centres.

Responding to the demands projected by the screening team, the MP Ladakh assured that requisite measures will be taken to ensure necessary additional facilities like waterproof tents, ground leveling, provision of better boarding and lodging facilities, and other necessary equipments are provided at the earliest.  

Councillor Cha Stanzin Lakpa, Sub Divisional Magistrate Drass Ghulam Asgar, Chief Medical Officer Kargil, Dr Munawar Hussain Wazir, Block Medical Officer Drass Dr Reyaz Ahmad Lone besides other concerned officers accompanied the MP Ladakh during the tour.