NHAI invites bid for world’s longest tunnel in Uttarakhand

The National Highways Authority of India has invited bids for carrying out a feasibility study and preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the world’s longest road tunnel of about 30 km. The tunnel would start from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and end at Koti Colony near Tehri Dam in the state. Currently, the 24.5 km Laerdal tunnel in Norway is the longest road tunnel in the world. The upcoming project in India will include a 7-10 km approach road at both ends. Currently, commuters cover around 105 km distance via Mussoorie-Chamba Koti Colony Road to reach Tehri Lake from Dehradun and take at least three hours. Once the tunnel becomes operational, they can cover this stretch in less than an hour and it could galvanize tourism in the region.

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has sought approval from the Centre for the construction of a double-lane tunnel from Dehradun to Tehri Lake. That the tunnel is likely to be a single tube with two lanes for up and down traffic. But everything depends on the feasibility of the project. Only a detailed study will find out how the tunnel would have to be constructed. The successful DPR consultant will also carry out the traffic study to project the likely traffic through the tunnel.