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Efficient usage of Lowari Tunnel -letter4

Lowari Tunnel

Letter-'Dawn'

With reference to the letter, 'Lowari Tunnel' (Dawn,March 27), the writer has very well explained the reasons for the tunnel being a rail tunnel instead of a road tunnel.

However, there are certain aspects which should be considered, which are in favour of a road tunnel.

First is the density of traffic in the tunnel as the degree of emissions in the tunnel will depend upon the level of density. If the traffic flow is very low, then the emission could be easily controlled without having expensive ventilation shafts.

I have seen ventilation exhaust fans fitted at the ceilings of road tunnels for ventilation purposes. Also, there is natural draft produced in the tunnel due to difference of pressure at the portals of the tunnel. This arrangement will take care of emissions in the tunnel to a great extent.

The emission could also be controlled by controlling the flow of traffic. At the entrance of the tunnel, vehicles could be controlled so that there is, for instance, a distance of 20 feet maintained between them and the speed of the vehicles restricted to say 30-40 mph. In this way the emission density could be lessened, which could be handled by the exhaust fans on the ceiling.

The flow of traffic to and from Chitral is very low and is not of highly economic nature. If the flow rate of road traffic is on the lower side, it will not have any significant economic impact in the region.

Use of railways in the tunnel will be a weak link in the transportation system, as the railway’s equipment will be additional capital cost item and a running cost of operation, repairs and maintenance. Electric power will have to be brought up to the tunnel, which will be a major problem, due to national power shortage and power outages.

The operation and stoppage of tunnel will solely (and sorely!) depend upon the power being on and off. There will have to be full fledged repairs and maintenance facility, a residential colony for the labour and staff, availability of utilities, etc. A small fault in the railway system will result in closure of the tunnel, until the fault is removed. All this will not be needed in case of a road tunnel.

If the road tunnel proves inefficient it could easily be converted to a rail tunnel; but a railway tunnel cannot be that easily made into a road tunnel.

Let us have a road tunnel in the least possible time, knowing that this project is dragging on since several decades, not years, displaying the credibility of our planning and implementation of projects of national importance.

A. Rahim,
Karachi.

30 March 09.

Efficient usage of Lowari Tunnel -letter3

This refers to the subject news item which contains proposals presented by Wg Cdr (r) Fardad Ali Shah to the Federal Minister for communication Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan about the Lawari road tunnel. We appreciate the recommendations put forward by Mr Shah keeping in view the best interests of the people of Chitral and to make the best of the Lawari Tunnel.

We here fully agree with him that how can a sophisticated railway system be expected to be operated efficiently in this remote place of our country. Keeping in view the past poor performance of our Railway system many experts in the relevant field have already expressed their reservations about the successful operation of the proposed railway system through Lawari Tunnel. Now the Wg Cdr has taken a positive initiative in trying to persuade the concerned high authorities to commission the Tunnel as a Road Tunnel in right time before wasting money on the rail system. It is heartening to know that the Federal Minister for communication and the Chairman NHA have been receptive to the idea.

We the people of Chitral recommend that after catering for technicalities, the proposal should be considered on merit in the best interest of the users.

Bashir Hussain Azad,
Chitral.

07 March, 09.

Efficient usage of Lowari Tunnel -letter2

This is with reference to the report in chitralnews.com that Wing Cdr (r) Fardad Ali Shah had meetings with Federal Minister for Communication Dr Arbab Alamgir and Chairman NHA to stress upon them that converting the under construction Lawari tunnel into road traffic instead of railway would be more appropriate. The latter have reportedly assured Mr Shah that his recommendation regarding making the Lawari tunnel road traffic worthy would be given a serious consideration. I personally appreciate the efforts of Mr. Shah being a deeply patriotic Chitrali, but submit two important points with respect to the current issues relating to Lawari tunnel project.

Firstly, ever since completion of the first phase of Lawari tunnel project the local politics is at the peak, trying to make this life line for Chitral a controversial matter. These controversies revolve around taking credit by the local politicians for construction of Lawari tunnel on the one hand and its immediate opening for traffic on the other. I sincerely feel that in both cases political motives instead of public interest are being kept supreme. The people of Chitral contrary to being deaf and dump, as political leaders consider them, understand fully well that who took the decision to construct this strategic project for reasons best known to the decision maker. I agree with Shahzada Masoodul Mulk, who observed in a seminar the other day that �construction of Lawari tunnel was a political decision, driven as much by the mystique of Chitral as was by strategic and political consideration. In simple terms it was just our good luck. The situation is very different today�. It is also a hard reality that people of Chitral have been suffering for centuries due to closure of Lawari pass in winters, but not for the first time in history. Making genuine efforts to ease the problems of people is a positive thinking but taking the Lawari tunnel issue to the extreme height of tension is nothing else than part of dirty local politics.

Secondly, in a layman�s language as we were informed then, that the construction of Lawari rail tunnel was to cost one third of the estimated cost of road tunnel. If road tunnel was to cost twenty four billion rupees then rail tunnel was only eight billions. That was one of the cogent reasons for opting the later option. Due to inflation and other factors rail tunnel is reportedly going to cost nineteen billion rupees and for road tunnel logically multiply it by three. Had it been financially feasible, the then government would have decided in favour of road tunnel. Making a project technically controversial at this belated stage, not by anyone else but the people of Chitral, is nothing but a collective suicide. If nothing else such proposals can at least cause inordinate delay in completion of the project, in view of fresh feasibility studies, approval processes, calling tenders etc.

Irrespective of these figures and the local political controversies I appeal to all the patriotic Chitralis to kindly understand one simple fact that the situation is really very different today, both politically, financially and security wise. Our small misadventures on Lawari tunnel projects may result in disastrous outcomes for Chitral. For God sake let the government departments and the foreign company carry out their work on the project as per their envisaged plan. Strengthen their efforts and dedication with your praise. Being the worst affectees, Chitral people should not take any chance that may result either in winding up the project on security, financial and other reasons or its construction with unsound technical provisions. May Allah Bless us with enough wisdom.

Tariq Mehmood
Islamabad

05 March, 09.

Efficient usage of Lowari Tunnel -letter
 

This is with reference to a good news published in Chitral News (03 March), according to which The Govt. is likely to consider commissioning the Lowari Tunnel as a road tunnel instead of the earlier proposed rail tunnel. As a matter of fact, it would be a wet blanket for Chitralis, if the design is not changed to a road tunnel.

Muhammad Abeer Khan,
Jughoor, Chitral.

04 March, 09.