Shimla bypass tunnel breakthrough achieved

Ambika Sharma

Solan, July 23

A breakthrough has been achieved by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in connecting two ends of a tunnel being constructed as part of the Rs 1,844-crore Kaithlighat-Sakral four-laning project to decongest Shimla.

10 tunnels to be built

• Ten tunnels will be constructed on the Kaithlighat-Dhalli section of the NH-5, which will reduce the distance of 40 km to 28.5 km.
• The first tunnel from Goregaon to Sungal has been safely carved out. Its finishing work will be undertaken now.
• 200 men and 50 machines have been working on this double lane tunnel.

About the project, Abdul Basit, Regional Officer, NHAI, said, “A sum of Rs 90 crore has been incurred on the construction of the tunnel, which is part of Shimla-Kalka National Highway 5. The work on the tunnel had begun in June 2023 and is expected to complete by January next.”

Once completed, the tunnel will reduce the travel time by one-and-a-half hours and shorten the distance between Kaithlighat and Sakral by 8 km. The NHAI has fixed April 2026 deadline for its completion.

Basit and other officials of the NHAI as well as the officials of the private executing company witnessed the breakthrough, considered a crucial event, at Kaithlighat today. “The twin tube tunnels, measuring 700 m and 1300 m, are being constructed on the Shimla bypass. A sum of Rs 403 crore is being incurred on the construction. A breakthrough has been achieved in one of its left tube by joining both ends. The NHAI hopes will open this tunnel for vehicular traffic by April 2026,” said Basit.

A cross passage tunnel will also be constructed between the two tubes for use in an emergency situation.

In emergency situations, while using cross passage tunnel, measures like traffic signal, self-operating toll as well as lane control mechanism would also be put to use.

The construction of the tunnel has prevented the axing of 5,000 trees, besides checking soil erosion. This will provide a safe and smooth passage to motorists, besides saving the fuel and preventing air pollution.

Various safety features and other measures will be put to use once the tunnel is completed. These include use of fans for ventilation inside the tunnel, LED or fluorescent lights, safety gadgets like smoke sensor, fire alarm, sprinkler mechanism, besides emergency exit in case of exigencies.

The Shimla bypass tunnel is being touted as an exceptional project by the NHAI, which will ease travel and decongest roads.

Those present on the occasion included Anand Dahiya, Project Director, NHAI, Shimla; Achal Jindal, Manager Technical, NHAI; Mohinder Garg of SP Singla company, which was executing the four-laning on this section of the NH-5.