Tuesday, July 4 2006 10:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Shimla: The plan to build a nine km, all-weather tunnel as an alternative to the high-altitude Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh has received a boost, as SMEC International, an Australian construction firm, is assigned the task of preparing the project's design.

The deal was signed last week by K.P. Singh of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Manoli Lukas of SMEC International at Manali, some 280 km from here.

Once the detailed report is ready, work will begin early next year on boring the tunnel to connect the Kullu valley to the snowbound Lahaul valley by an all-weather route instead of the present route through the 13,050-ft high Rohtang Pass that remains under snow for more than half of the year.

"Lahaul valley farmers will benefit greatly as they are often unable to transport their perishable crops to markets outside the valley as the road is blocked for several months at a stretch, causing huge financial losses," Singh said.

The tunnel will also provide a better route to the landlocked Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir, especially for the armed forces.

"The work on the tunnel is expected to finish by 2014," BRO chief engineer Singh told sources.

"The environment clearance for the project has already been obtained from the union environment and forests ministry," he said.

A delay in the clearance had led the project to stagnate after its foundation stone was laid by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee four years ago.

The project was originally conceived some 15 years ago. It was then expected to cost Rs.7 billion, but the figure has doubled since then.

"We have recently deposited Rs.100 million with the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) for providing the power infrastructure for the project. The same amount has also been allotted to the forest department for tree plantation and disposal of debris," said Singh.

"The BRO has already built 24 kilometres of approach roads leading to both portals of the tunnel which has nine avalanche points," he said.

Overlooking the popular resort town of Manali, the Rohtang tunnel will be located at around 9,500 feet and would reduce the distance of the 480-km Manali-Leh road by 46 km, BRO officials said.

This high-altitude road currently remains closed for traffic for over six months in a year, as the snow over the Rohtang Pass is yet to clear up.