Nitin Gadkari Highlights Major Advancements in India’s Tunnel Infrastructure

Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, shared a significant update on India’s tunnel infrastructure during his address at the ‘World Tunnel Day 2024 Conference on Safe & Sustainable Tunneling’. He revealed that around 75 tunnel projects, with an investment of Rs 49,000 crore, are currently under construction across the country.

Gadkari underscored the vast potential of the tunnel sector, aligning it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the world’s third-largest economy. “To achieve this target, we need international-standard infrastructure, and our government has prioritized infrastructure development,” he stated.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has made notable progress, completing 35 tunnel projects spanning 49 km at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore. In addition to the ongoing 75 projects covering 146 km, plans are in place for 78 upcoming tunnel projects, which will span 285 km with an investment of Rs 1.10 trillion.

Gadkari also revealed his recent discussions with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding a major tunnel project under the Brahmaputra River. He highlighted the opportunities such a project would bring for contractors and consultants in the tunneling industry. “Tunnels are crucial not only for road networks but also for hydro projects, metro systems, and railways,” he concluded.