The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will undertake a safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels across the country to ensure safety and adherence to the highest quality standards.
The announcement has been made in the backdrop of the collapse of the under-construction Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi in Uttrakhand on November 12, trapping 41 workers.
With a total length of around 79 km, the 29 under-construction tunnels are spread over different locations across the country with 12 tunnels in Himachal Pradesh, 06 in Jammu and Kashmir, 02 each in Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and one each in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Delhi.
NHAI also signed a memorandum of understanding with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL). As part of the agreement, KRCL reviews design, drawing, and safety aspects related to tunnel construction and slope stabilisation of NHAI projects.
Earlier in September 2023, NHAI signed a similar agreement with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), who will provide services for reviewing planning, designing, construction and maintenance of tunnels, bridges and other structures on National Highways across the country.
