MEIL workforce brave frigid temperatures

At more than 11,000 feet above mean sea level in the young snow-capped Himalayan mountains, the ‘Water Towers’ of India, the workforce of Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) is constructing Asia’s longest bidirectional Zojila Tunnel.In the harsh winter with heavy snowfall and the danger of avalanches, the regions get cut off from the rest of the world without any communication. During October to March, the peak winter season, people residing in these Himalayan ranges migrate to other places as it is impossible to sustain without minimum basic amenities like water, transport, power and other communication.Even in this deserted white winter wonderland, where temperatures drop below minus Degrees Celcius, MEILians are working 24×7 under neon lights, protective helmets, and warm winter gear. It is like a show in the snow, where each MEILian is an artist. For several months, the workforce stays far from their families, dedicating themselves to the ‘Mission Connecting Somarg-Ladakh round-the-clock.’With the temperatures dropping to -18 Degrees Celsius, the present wind speeds are touching 6-7 km per hour, which usually go up to 40 km/hr during peak winter, where there is a risk of avalanches. Surrounded by 8-9 avalanche zones, the 2,000-plus MEIL workforce daily march like soldiers in these high-risk, bone-chilling volatile weather conditions. Snowstorms are another hindrance to work. Snow can sometimes accumulate up to 6 feet in height. Presently, the snow received in the second week of December is thigh-high. Machines such as snow blowers running on anti-freeze diesel clear the route to the tunnel so men and machinery can easily pass.This 13.145-km-long the highest motorable road tunnel in the continent is located in the beautiful maze of steep mountains in Jammu & Kashmir. The people of Ladakh will no longer have outward migration or live in isolation during the harsh and long winter months. With the tunnel, these ‘isolated people’ will soon have year-long access and safe passage to Jammu and Srinagar.In this harsh climate with limited food supplies, MEIL’s winter warriors are presently carrying tunnelling, excavation, gantry, lining, and gabion works. In the 13.145-km-long main tunnel, on average, they are tunnelling 10 to 12 metres from both ends (east and west portal) every day, which is not easy in normal conditions. Presently, excavation of the last cut and cover tunnel is ongoing. Out of the eight cut and cover tunnels, seven have been completed. In the Nilgrar tunnels 1 & 2, gantry and lining works are underway. Water temperatures are being raised to 80 degrees Celsius to add to the concrete mix, while sand & aggregates are being stored in huge sheds.Harpal Singh, project head at ZojilaTunnel, said, “We’re receiving snowfall regularly. The day temperatures are also sub-zero, but in November, MEILians achieved record concrete lining progress of 750-m in the Nilgrar tunnels despite the harsh weather. Gabion works to protect the roads from snow/avalanches are also in progress. As MEILians, we take immense pride in building the Zojila Tunnel, which is a lifeline for the people and will boost the economy of Ladakh.”