6 J&K tunnels, among 29 under construction tunnels, to undergo NHAI safety audit

Jammu, Nov 23: Six tunnels of J&K will be among 29 under construction tunnels across the country which will undergo safety audit to be undertaken by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

NHAI officials along with a team of experts from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as well as other tunnel experts will inspect these ongoing tunnel projects and will submit a report within seven days.

The move, an after effect of Uttarkashi (under-construction) tunnel collapse incident, aims at “ensuring safety and adherence to the highest quality standards during construction.”

As per officials, with a total length of around 79 km, these 29 under-construction tunnels are spread over different locations across the country with 12 tunnels in Himachal Pradesh, 6 in Jammu and Kashmir, 2 each in Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and one each in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Delhi respectively.

“In J&K, NHAI will undertake a safety audit of six under construction tunnels, where excavation work is ongoing. These will include four on Ramban-Banihal section and two are part of Jammu Ring Road project,” Regional Officer (RO) NHAI J&K P Siva Shankar told Greater Kashmir.

“In Ramban-Banihal section of Srinagar Jammu National, four under construction tunnels which will be undertaken for safety audit will include Maroog-Digdol; Digdol-Panthial; Cafeteria and Peerah-Kunfer tunnels,” he stated.
Both Maroog-Digdol and Digdol-Panthial are two-lane tunnels.

“Our Regional Officer (RO) NHAI continuously monitors presently under-construction tunnels on National Highway. On Wednesday also, he along with a team of experts visited tunnel sites and reviewed safety measures. Though there are more tunnels under-construction on NH passing through different phases viz., lining, flooring etc., yet as our Regional Officer has mentioned safety audit will pertain to these tunnels where excavation work is underway,” Project Director (NHAI) PIU Ramban Purshotam Kumar said.

Similarly, two under-construction Jammu Ring road tunnels at Jagti and Akhnoor were also inspected by the Regional Officer joined by experts. They also deliberated on additional safety measures.

Officials said that NHAI also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL). Under this agreement, KRCL will provide services for NHAI projects to review design, drawing and safety aspects related to tunnel construction and slope stabilization. KRCL will also conduct safety audits of tunnels and if required, suggest remedial measures.

“In addition to this, KRCL will organize training programmes for capacity building of NHAI officials. This agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years,” officials said.

As per official account, earlier in September 2023, NHAI had signed a similar agreement with DMRC, which would provide services for reviewing planning, designing, construction and maintenance of tunnels, bridges and other structures on National Highways across the country.

“The initiatives highlight NHAI’s resolve to create a safe and seamless National Highway network and collaborate with government organizations to share best practices for the enhancement of transport infrastructure, contributing towards the goal of nation building,” officials said.