By rosebell
With the aim of reducing traffic in Shimla, the state government of Himachal Pradesh, India is slated to construct a new tunnel between Navbahar and the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC).
Being announced in June last year, the Navbahar tunnel project will involve the construction of a new 890m double-lane tunnel beneath Jakhu Hill.
As part of a broader infrastructure initiative by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD), the project’s estimated cost is almost INR2.95bn ($33.7m) and the initiative includes the construction of roads and drainages across the state.
Decreasing traffic congestion and making the urban commute faster in Shimla, would be the advantages of this new tunnel as a spokesperson of the Himachal Pradesh government stated.
According to the spokesperson: “The Public Works Department (PWD) had spent INR12.38bn by the end of September 2024 out of the total allocation of INR28.06bn for this financial year. The project has seen notable advancements in the past two years, including the construction of 1,376km of roads and 1,192km of drainage systems across Himachal Pradesh.”
Additionally, upgrading 1,741km of roads to better standards, expanding road access to 61 census villages, and completing 116 bridges over challenging terrains, are the work of PWD.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in a meeting, said: “The government has already allocated INR1bn for the tunnel project and directed the PWD to remove all blockages on the Circular Road to ensure a smooth flow of vehicular traffic.”
The planned date for starting the land acquisition for the project is within one week, and the tendering process is anticipated to begin by the end of this month.
Sukhu said: “The state government was making earnest efforts to address the problems of Shimla city, providing relief to the locals and the tourists visiting the Queen of Hills. INR1.22bn has been allocated for widening and strengthening of the Circular Road. The parking infrastructure would also be ramped up as soon as a parking facility for an additional 3,000 vehicles is developed.”
In order to improving connectivity and tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Sonamarg tunnel, also known as the Z-Morh tunnel.
The 12km tunnel has been constructed with around INR27bn ($311m), and comprises 6.4km of Sonamarg main tunnel, with egress tunnel and approach roads.
