Breakthrough in Char Dham Tunnel Enhances Connectivity and Tourism
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Breakthrough in Char Dham Tunnel Enhances Connectivity and Tourism

A significant milestone has been achieved in improving rail and road connectivity for the Char Dham in Uttarakhand, with the completion of excavation work on the Silkyara Bend-Barkot Road tunnel from both ends. This breakthrough marks a key step forward in enhancing accessibility to the Char Dham Yatra, which attracts pilgrims from across India. The 4.531-km tunnel, part of the Char Dham Yatra development, is expected to reduce the travel distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri by 26 kilometre, offering a much more convenient route for visitors.

The two-lane, bi-directional tunnel, projected to cost approximately Rs 8.53 billion, will allow travellers to pass through it in just five minutes. Its completion is set to boost tourism and provide employment opportunities for locals. The project also includes the construction of the 14.57-km Tunnel No. 8 as part of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link, a 125-km rail project in Uttarakhand. More than 83 per cent of the alignment for the rail link passes through tunnels, involving over 213 km of tunnelling across both main and escape routes.

The breakthrough was made possible through the use of advanced technology, including a German-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) named 'Shakti,' which set a new global benchmark with its 9.11-meter diameter. The tunnel is still under construction, with the second parallel tunnel expected to be completed by July. The project is expected to be fully operational within 15-18 months. The work on the tunnel faced significant challenges, including the rescue of 41 workers who were trapped for 17 days following a landslide in November 2023. Despite the hardships, many of these workers continue to contribute to the tunnel's completion.

News source: Daily Pioneer

A significant milestone has been achieved in improving rail and road connectivity for the Char Dham in Uttarakhand, with the completion of excavation work on the Silkyara Bend-Barkot Road tunnel from both ends. This breakthrough marks a key step forward in enhancing accessibility to the Char Dham Yatra, which attracts pilgrims from across India. The 4.531-km tunnel, part of the Char Dham Yatra development, is expected to reduce the travel distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri by 26 kilometre, offering a much more convenient route for visitors. The two-lane, bi-directional tunnel, projected to cost approximately Rs 8.53 billion, will allow travellers to pass through it in just five minutes. Its completion is set to boost tourism and provide employment opportunities for locals. The project also includes the construction of the 14.57-km Tunnel No. 8 as part of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link, a 125-km rail project in Uttarakhand. More than 83 per cent of the alignment for the rail link passes through tunnels, involving over 213 km of tunnelling across both main and escape routes. The breakthrough was made possible through the use of advanced technology, including a German-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) named 'Shakti,' which set a new global benchmark with its 9.11-meter diameter. The tunnel is still under construction, with the second parallel tunnel expected to be completed by July. The project is expected to be fully operational within 15-18 months. The work on the tunnel faced significant challenges, including the rescue of 41 workers who were trapped for 17 days following a landslide in November 2023. Despite the hardships, many of these workers continue to contribute to the tunnel's completion. News source: Daily Pioneer

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

JNPA Becomes First Indian Port to Cross 10 Million TEU Capacity

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), located at Uran in Navi Mumbai, has become the first port in India to achieve over 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in container handling capacity.With the recent expansion, the port now operates five container terminals with a combined capacity of 10.4 million TEUs, alongside two liquid and two general cargo terminals.Handling more than half of India’s container traffic, JNPA processed 7.05 million TEUs in 2024 and has moved 15.39 million tonnes of containers and 16.64 million tonnes of total cargo in the first two months of FY 2025â..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Nod for Rs. 36.26 billion Expansion of Pune Metro Line 2

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs.36.26 billion expansion of Pune Metro Line 2, adding 12.75 km of track and 13 new stations to improve east–west connectivity across the city.The project aims to link Pune’s urban core with rapidly growing suburbs, supporting the city’s rising demand for efficient and sustainable transport solutions. This expansion is part of Corridor 2 of the Pune Metro and includes two key routes: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B).It will connect residential, IT, and educational hubs in areas such as Bavdhan, Koth..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Assembly begins for ‘Nayak’ TBM on Thane– Borivali Twin Tunnel Project

The assembly of ‘Nayak’, the first of four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the Thane–Borivali Twin Tube Tunnel Project, has commenced at the Thane site. Built by German firm Herrenknecht AG and deployed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure (MEIL), the TBM marks a key milestone in Mumbai’s ambitious 11.8-km underground road corridor beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.The twin tunnels will reduce the Thane–Borivali travel distance by 12 km and decongest Thane Ghodbunder Road. ‘Nayak’, with a 13.2-metre diameter, is designed to bore through challenging geological conditions ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?