PM Modi asks railways to build hybrid tunnels for rail, road traffic

03 Sep 2021 CW Team

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suggested the Ministry of Railways to construct hybrid tunnels in mountains for railway lines which can also be used as a road.

This suggestion came about last week when the Prime Minister was reviewing a railway project in Himachal Pradesh, which is anticipated to further link on to Manali and Leh.

Around seven tunnels are being constructed for the railway line under construction from Punjab's Bhanupali to Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur.

In the future, while building tunnels in hilly areas for railway projects, a hybrid system should be devised, so that apart from the railway track, tunnels can also be utilised as roads. Such road-rail tunnels shared by road and rail lines can be more economical, Modi said.

Presently, no such tunnel exists in India, while some exist abroad. However, India has built long road and rail tunnels individually in the mountainous areas, like the 8.8 km long Atal highway tunnel near Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh and the Pir Panjal railway tunnel of length 11 km in Jammu and Kashmir.

On August 25, Modi was reviewing the 65 km long Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri railway line project in Himachal Pradesh and set deadlines for governments of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh for land acquisition and expedite the project. An additional 498 km long line from Bilaspur to Leh is also in the projects, which would be the highest railway line.

Image Source

Also read: Kolkata to receive three underground tunnels for metro rail expansion

Also read: Uttarakhand requests approval for Dehradun-Tehri double-lane tunnel

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..