The Indian government has unveiled a major initiative to expand the country’s highway network by planning the construction of 74 new tunnels, with a projected investment of Rs 1 lakh crore over the coming years. This ambitious project aims to significantly enhance connectivity and infrastructure across the nation.
Currently, the government has completed 35 tunnels spanning a total of 49 kilometers at a cost of Rs 15,000 crore. The new plan will add 273 kilometers of tunnels, further expanding the national highway network.
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In addition to these new projects, 69 tunnels covering 134 kilometers are already under construction, with an investment of Rs 40,000 crore. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, shared these details at the FICCI Tunnelling India conference in New Delhi.
Minister Gadkari emphasized the government’s broader economic goals, noting that India is working towards becoming a $5 trillion economy. He highlighted the critical importance of road safety and the need for cost-effective, permanent solutions to address challenges such as rainfall, landslides, and floods.
The minister also discussed plans to involve foreign partners by offering a 51 percent stake in joint ventures for tunnel construction and detailed project reports. This move aims to enhance work quality and incorporate advanced technologies. “We need to identify the most cost-effective technology that maintains high quality,” Gadkari stated.
He stressed the importance of performance audits over financial audits to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of projects.
Transport Infrastructure
Bhavani Koneru from FICCI’s Committee on Transport Infrastructure highlighted the necessity of developing indigenous tunneling technologies tailored to India’s unique geological and cost conditions.
Recent milestones in India’s tunneling infrastructure include the inauguration of the Sela Tunnel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March. At a cost of Rs 825 crore, the Sela Tunnel is the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel at 13,000 feet.
In July, PM Modi also launched the construction of the twin-tube, 4.1-kilometer-long Shinkun La Tunnel on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road, aimed at providing continuous connectivity to northern borders with China.
Additionally, the Atal Tunnel, inaugurated by PM Modi on October 3, 2020, was completed after a decade of work by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), with an investment exceeding Rs 3,200 crore.
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