ITNL sniffs Zojila Pass tunnel in J&K

In a recent development in the road and highway sector, IL&FS’s Transportation Networks Ltd (ITNL), road construction arm has emerged as the lowest bidder for EPC contract for Zojila tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir. In the tender floated by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDC) the project entails an investment of Rs.10,000 core, said sources, claiming that ITNL has bid the lowest, while the reserve price of the contract has also been reduced by almost half, to around Rs.5,600 crore. The price bid by ITNL was significantly lower than even the reserve price, while at least one other bidder has bid above Rs.7,000 crore. Zojila tunnel is considered as one of the most complicated projects in the State as it aims to establishing year-round connectivity between Srinagar and the Leh-Ladakh region. Currently, Leh-Ladakh remained cut off from the rest of India for almost six months due heavy snowfall. According to NHIDC announcement four eligible bidders, including ITNL, Larsen & Toubro, Jaiprakash Associates and Reliance Infrastructure were invited for the project.