Ministry Establishes Expert Panel for Tunnel Projects Review

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has formed an expert panel for the technical review of long tunnel projects on National Highways. The panel includes experts from ONGC, RVNL, and THIDCL. It will advise on geological studies, alignment, design, and safety measures. This follows recent incidents like the Silkyaa tunnel collapse, where 41 workers were trapped but later rescued.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has convened a panel of experts to conduct a technical review of tunnel projects on National Highways.

In a recent communication, the ministry announced that the panel, which includes experts from ONGC, RVNL, and THIDCL, will provide advisory services during the appraisal of tunnel projects exceeding 1.5 kilometers in length.

The Ministry emphasized the necessity for detailed geological studies, alignment reports, tunnel designs, and safety measures in submitted proposals, especially for review by Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) and Standing Finance Committee (SFC). This initiative comes in the wake of incidents like the Silkyaa tunnel collapse, which spotlighted the need for stringent safety and design compliance. The November 12 collapse trapped 41 workers, who were rescued by November 28.