The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) likely to conduct a safety audit for all 29 tunnels currently under construction across the country, aiming to ensure strict adherence to the highest quality standards. This initiative, as announced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), comes in the wake of the recent collapse of the under-construction Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi on November 12.
The suspected reason behind the collapse of the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi could be attributed to a hidden weak section of rock. This particular section, concealed during the construction phase, may have been composed of fractured or fragile rock with multiple joints, making it structurally susceptible and not readily apparent during the construction process.
Detailed report likely to be submitted
Due to these concerns NHAI will undertake a safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels across the country. A team of NHAI officials, in collaboration with experts from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and other tunnel specialists, will undertake inspections of the ongoing tunnel projects. A detailed report on their findings is expected to be submitted within seven days. Hopefully, through the detailed report, such kind of disaster could be avoided.
These 29 under-construction tunnels, spanning a total length of approximately 79 km, are located across different states, including 12 in Himachal Pradesh, six in Jammu and Kashmir, two each in Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and one each in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi.
NHAI collaboration with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited
In addition to the safety audit, NHAI has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL). As per the agreement, KRCL will review the design, drawings, and safety aspects related to tunnel construction and slope stabilisation for NHAI projects.