Lok Sabha Question No. 248 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-12
Subject: Construction of Tunnels
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal, Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 248

## ANSWERED ON 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## CONSTRUCTION OF TUNNELS

*248.   SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA: SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of tunnels planned for construction across the country  in  the  coming  years,  including  their  total  distance  and estimated cost, State-wise, particularly in Palghar in Maharashtra;
- (b)  the  details  of  completed  tunnel  projects  and  the  projects currently under construction;
- (c)   the role of tunnels in improving the connectivity and reducing travel time especially in the hilly regions of the country;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  construct  a  tunnel road  to  bypass  the  Shiradi  Ghat  section  between  Mangalore  and Bangalore to address travel challenges; and
- (e) if so, the details of the proposed project including the status of feasibility studies, timelines, and budget allocations?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  248  ANSWERED  ON  12.12.2024 ASKED BY SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA AND SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF TUNNELS.

(a)  and  (b)  The  Central  Government  is  primarily  responsible  for development  and  maintenance  of  National  Highways  (NHs)  in  the country.  To  date,  42  tunnels  covering  60.37  km  length  have  been completed in 27 projects and 57 tunnels covering 93.96 km length are  currently  under  implementation  in  37  projects  on  NHs  in  the country. Additionally, 3 tunnels covering 9.68 km length have been approved for construction in 3 projects at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,962 crore. A tunnel with a length of 0.8 km on NH-248S in Palghar district, Maharashtra is in the project preparation stage as part of the Vadhavan Port Connectivity project. The State / Union Territory (UT) - wise details of tunnels approved for construction on NHs are as below:

|   S. N. | State/UT         |   No. of Tunnels |   Length (km) |   Estimated Cost (Rs. in Crore) |
|---------|------------------|------------------|---------------|---------------------------------|
|       1 | Andhra Pradesh   |                1 |          3.68 |                             700 |
|       2 | Himachal Pradesh |                1 |          3.5  |                             700 |
|       3 | Mizoram          |                1 |          2.5  |                             562 |

Besides,  one  6-lane  project  in  Maharashtra  costing  Rs.  4501 crore, including construction of 2 tunnels having total length of 3.47 km  has  been  apprised  by  Public  Private  Partnership  Appraisal Committee (PPPAC).

(c)   Tunnels on NHs are constructed to avoid passage through snow bound  areas,  eco-sensitive  areas,  pass  below  water  bodies  or congested areas, etc. The fundamental objective of road tunnel is to ensure  safe  transit  of  the  road  traffic  in  difficult  terrain.  Tunnels play  a  crucial  role  in  enhancing  connectivity  and  reducing  travel time,  especially  in  the  hilly  regions  of  the  country  by  providing  a safer alternative to treacherous mountain passes, resulting in lesser vehicle operating cost and emission of greenhouse gases. Tunnels are less affected by adverse weather conditions like heavy snow or fog ensuring more reliable travel round the year in hilly terrain. (d)  and  (e)  Preparation  of  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  including alignment option study, feasibility study, cost estimation, assessment of the construction period, groundwork for preconstruction activities, etc. for construction of greenfield alignment  in  Shiradi  Ghat  section  of  NH-75  including  tunnels  has been awarded. The construction work can be taken up based on the outcome of DPR and inter-se-priority.

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