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The document said that so far tunnel projects across national highways were planned and approved using varied practices, often leading to inconsistencies
Tunnel infrastructure plays a pivotal role in improving road connectivity.
To prevent delays and risks in large tunnel projects, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has rolled out a uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for tunnel alignments longer than 1.5 km on National Highways. The move comes nearly two years after the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand.
The document, issued on Tuesday night, said that so far tunnel projects across national highways were planned and approved using varied practices, often leading to inconsistencies.
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Why was the SOP needed?
“The purpose of this SOP is to provide a comprehensive, objective, and replicable methodology for identifying, evaluating, and selecting optimal tunnel alignment options in National Highway (NH) projects in India,” the Ministry said.
The SOP focuses on community consultation through public hearings, especially in tribal and eco-sensitive areas. The SOP also states that the alignment of the tunnel should have minimum social and environment impact.
Why are tunnels important?
Tunnel infrastructure plays a pivotal role in improving road connectivity, especially in mountainous, hilly, and ecologically sensitive regions, offering direct, all-weather connectivity and help avoid terrain-related constraints such as steep gradients, unstable slopes, and landslide-prone areas.
They reduce travel time, fuel consumption, vehicular emissions, and overall operating costs.
From a strategic and economic perspective, tunnel development is essential for enhancing border connectivity, supporting tourism, enabling socio-economic integration of remote areas, and ensuring national security, the Ministry said.
Complexity and risks in planning
“Planning tunnel infrastructure is inherently complex and multidisciplinary. It requires harmonisation of topographical, geological, geotechnical, geophysical, hydrological, environmental, social, and financial dimensions. Without rigorous, standardised studies and data-backed alignment evaluations, tunnel projects may face delays, cost escalations, and stakeholder conflicts,” the SOP reads.
This policy offers an objective and structured SOP for conducting Tunnel Alignment Option Studies on National Highways.
“It prescribes the methodology for generating technically sound, environmentally sustainable, socially acceptable, and economically viable tunnel alignment options,” the document reads.
In the letter to various stakeholders, including all Chief Secretaries, all Public Works Department, Road Construction Department and Highways Departments dealing with National Highways and other centrally sponsored schemes, the Ministry emphasised that tunnel projects are capital-intensive and are associated with high risk due to uncertainties of the underlying strata.
“Therefore, proper planning and investigations are critical for the successful implementation of tunnel projects,” it said.
Approval and review mechanism
The Ministry also said that alignment proposals for all long tunnel projects will be submitted to it for review, prior to the submission of alignment of a corridor or section of NH for approval by the Alignment Approval Committee.
The Ministry has directed for generating technically feasible, environmentally compatible, and economically justifiable alignment options.
“The goal is to evaluate at least three alternative alignments with clear differentiators – shortest path, Geologically/geotechnically favourable, least social impact, and cost-optimised route,” the document reads, adding these alignments must avoid critical constraints like sensitive zone, heritage sites, fault lines, steep slopes, and existing urban settlements.
What happened in Silkyara?
On November 12, 2023, a collapse occurred in the under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Barkot in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi due to debris falling. A total of 41 workers were trapped for several days and were rescued safely on November 28.
The rescue and relief operations at the Silkyara Tunnel cost over Rs 1.93 crore.
https://www.news18.com/india/rs-2-lakh-bonus-salary-for-2-months-what-workers-rescued-from-silkyara-tunnel-received-8979116.html
The 41 labourers who were trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel for more than two weeks have received Rs two lakh in addition to two months’ bonus and salary by the contractor.
About the Author
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived…Read More
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived… Read More
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