The state government of Himachal Pradesh, India is set to construct a new tunnel between Navbahar and the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), which would reduce traffic in Shimla.
The Navbahar tunnel project was first announced in June last year and will involve the construction of a new 890m double-lane tunnel beneath Jakhu Hill.
Estimated to cost around INR2.95bn ($33.7m), the proposed tunnel project is part of a broader infrastructure initiative by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD).
The initiative includes the construction of roads and drainages across the state.
The new tunnel would reduce traffic congestion and make the urban commute faster in Shimla, according to a spokesperson of the Himachal Pradesh government.
The spokesperson said: “The Public Works Department (PWD) had spent INR12.38bn by the end of September 2024 out of the total allocation of INR28.06bn for this financial year.
The project has seen notable advancements in the past two years, including the construction of 1,376km of roads and 1,192km of drainage systems across Himachal Pradesh.
The PWD has also upgraded 1,741km of roads to better standards, expanded road access to 61 census villages, and completed 116 bridges over challenging terrains.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in a meeting, said that the government has already allocated INR1bn for the tunnel project.
He directed the PWD to remove all blockages on the Circular Road to ensure a smooth flow of vehicular traffic.
The land acquisition for the project will begin within one week, and the tendering process is anticipated to begin by the end of this month.
Sukhu said: “The state government was making earnest efforts to address the problems of Shimla city, providing relief to the locals and the tourists visiting the Queen of Hills.
“INR1.22bn has been allocated for widening and strengthening of the Circular Road.
“The parking infrastructure would also be ramped up as soon as a parking facility for an additional 3,000 vehicles is developed.”
Recently, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sonamarg tunnel, also known as the Z-Morh tunnel, to improve connectivity and tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.
The 12km tunnel has been constructed with around INR27bn ($311m), and comprises 6.4km of Sonamarg main tunnel, with egress tunnel and approach roads.
