New Delhi: In a proactive move to ensure safety and uphold the highest quality standards in construction projects, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will be undertaking a comprehensive safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels spanning the country.
NHAI officials, in collaboration with experts from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and other tunnel specialists, will meticulously inspect the ongoing tunnel projects, with a commitment to submit a detailed report within seven days.
Covering a total length of approximately 79 km, these 29 under-construction tunnels are located across various regions of the country. The distribution includes 12 tunnels in Himachal Pradesh, 6 in Jammu and Kashmir, 2 each in Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and one each in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi.
In a parallel initiative to increase safety measures, NHAI has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL). Under this collaborative agreement, KRCL will extend its services to NHAI projects, offering expertise in reviewing designs, drawings, and safety aspects related to tunnel construction and slope stabilisation.
KRCL will also play a significant role in conducting safety audits of tunnels and, when necessary, recommending remedial measures. The agreement spans a period of two years and includes the provision for KRCL to organise training programs aimed at enhancing the capacity of NHAI officials.
This collaboration with KRCL follows NHAI’s earlier agreement, signed in September 2023, with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Under this earlier pact, DMRC committed to providing services which include the review of planning, designing, construction, and maintenance of tunnels, bridges, and other structures on National Highways throughout the country.
These initiatives underscore NHAI’s commitment to establish a safe and seamless National Highway network. By fostering collaborations with esteemed government organisations like DMRC and KRCL, NHAI aims to share and implement best practices for the continual enhancement of transport infrastructure.
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