The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that it will conduct a safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels across the country. The aim is to ensure that these tunnels meet the highest safety standards and quality criteria. This decision comes after the recent collapse of the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi on November 12.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), a team of experts from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and other tunnel specialists will join NHAI officials in inspecting the ongoing tunnel projects. Their findings will be compiled into a report to be submitted within seven days.
The 29 tunnels under construction cover a total length of approximately 79 km and are located in various states across India. Himachal Pradesh has the highest number of tunnels with 12, followed by Jammu and Kashmir with six. Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan each have two tunnels, while Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi each have one.
In addition to the safety audit, NHAI has also entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL). As part of this agreement, KRCL will review the design, drawings, and safety aspects related to tunnel construction and slope stabilization in NHAI projects.
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