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00:00I'm working as a consultant, so this project, I'm working for the tunnel.
00:30And at the same time, I'm a team leader.
00:39I've been working here for about 2 years and about 3 months.
00:44So this tunnel is about 6.5 kilometers.
00:49Before this tunnel, did you work anywhere?
00:52So if you work, how do you see the difference, climatic conditions?
00:55Do you feel it's a little bit tough?
00:56Yes, yes.
00:58Before I worked there, I worked in other places like Bangladesh, South Korea.
01:02But this project is good.
01:05The quality is good.
01:08So I can say that this is safe.
01:11So we have done all the standards.
01:14We have followed.
01:15Which type of challenges do you face during the work?
01:19The challenge is the weather.
01:21Because during the cold weather, we cannot really go full blast.
01:29So we have to stop for about 5 months, 6 months.
01:31In the tunnel, it's okay, but outside, because we are also working outside.
01:38And during winter, it is not workable because of the threat of avalanche.
01:45But I hope you forget all the challenges.
01:47Because you are smiling saying today you are very happy that you dedicated this channel to people.
01:51Yes, yes.
01:52Actually, we are waiting for so long for this inauguration.
01:56It was already completed long before.
01:59So now we are all happy.
02:01Hopefully, it will promote the tourism and local business of this area.
02:04Come again?
02:05Hopefully, it will promote the tourism and the local business of the area.
02:08Yes, yes.
02:09This will help the tourism.
02:11People can go to Sonamarg without going through all this avalanche.
02:17So they can use this tunnel.
02:20Hopefully, the people of J&K will get another tunnel, which is Zadmor tunnel, going towards Ladakh.
02:25Yes, yes. I hope so.
02:37My name is Prashant Kapira.
02:38I am the Managing Director of ICT.
02:40We are the independent engineer for the tunnel, which has been inaugurated today by the Honorable Prime Minister.
02:58I am elated and I am humbled at the same time.
03:01Elated because the hard work of my team has borne fruit.
03:04The hard work of not just my team, but the concessionaire as well.
03:08APCO Engineering.
03:10And the vision and the planning of the Honorable Prime Minister,
03:13and then the Minister Shri Gadkari Ji, and all the officials concerned.
03:17And I think it's very satisfying and humbling also because the hard work that the team has done,
03:22bearing, you know, managing all the different conditions, the harsh conditions,
03:26the weather, the terrorist attack and all that, it's been quite a challenge.
03:30But they have done it with a smile.
03:32They have done it with grit and determination.
03:34And I am very, very grateful to them for this.
03:36As you talk about the recent terror attack, was that terror attack demoralizing your morale, your team?
03:42But today we are seeing the results are completely different.
03:45I would say any such incident where you lose a colleague,
03:49where you lose somebody who you worked with, is very depressing.
03:53And I won't say it was demoralizing, but it was very shocking.
03:56And I think it was very emotional for all the people involved.
03:59So everybody took a bit of a break, went back to their homes for Diwali,
04:02came back, rejuvenated with the vigor that we have to complete this.
04:05We made a commitment to the nation and we will do it and they have delivered it.
04:09So I am very proud of them for this.
04:10I hope this tunnel will be playing a major role to promote the tourism as well as the local trade.
04:14It will, because you've got all the connectivity.
04:16If as a tourist I am coming for skiing in Sonmarg and I am assured that I can take my return flight
04:22back on the day I planned it without getting stuck because of an avalanche or anything else,
04:26I will most definitely be coming here with my family.
04:28So I think that is what this tunnel will bring, all around connectivity, all year connectivity.
04:32Thank you very much.
04:34Thank you very much.