In a major breakthrough the two ends of a 700 meters long tunnel, being constructed at Shungal near Shoghi on Dhali – Kathalighat four-lane project, were connected on Tuesday after a breakthrough ceremony.
This is a significant step in completion of the four lanes, being widened from Parwanoo to Kaithlighat to build a bypass for Shimla town to connect it with Dhali.
The construction of tunnels on the Highway would ease traffic congestion in Shimla town and would also reduce the traveling distance between Dhali and Kaithlighat from 40 kms to 28.5 kms.
Saumir Nagarani, Chief Executive Officer of Samon Infra Corp said, “The construction of the tunnel is an important milestone in the four lane project and collective efforts of two hundred workmen, who worked round the clock to accomplish the task using fifty heavy machines.”
He said , “ The double-lane tunnel is designed to streamline traffic flow, cutting down on travel time and fuel usage and the construction was carried out with a strong emphasis on environmental conservation; and this is our third project after successfully constructing Kumarhatti and Swarghat tunnels”, he added .
Project Director of National Highway Authority of India, Abdul Basit said, “This is a significant breakthrough in completion of the project and we are hopeful the four lane project would be completed by 2026.”
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