Engineering Marvels of New India’s Highways That Depict Amrit Kaal.

Over the past decade, India’s highway infrastructure has witnessed a remarkable transformation. Ambitious engineering marvels in the different parts of the country have connected remote regions, boosting accessibility and trade. This visionary approach enhances connectivity, fosters economic growth, and bridges gaps, propelling India into a new era of development.

The new India’s highway projects are now the fastest in history and also listed in the most unique projects which can be termed as the engineering marvels. 19 tunnels are being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs 25 thousand crore. Here are some highway bridges and tunnels which are either completed or are being constructed to ease the road travel with convenience and safety like never before:

Atal Tunnel

Atal tunnel is the longest Highway tunnel in the world in Himachal Pradesh which connects Solang valley near Manali to Sissu Lahaul Spiti District. This 9.02 Km long tunnel was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2020. “in just six years, we completed the work of 26 years.” said PM Modi while inaugurating the project.

This tunnel is built at an altitude of 3000 metres above the mean sea level. This tunnel will not only give an all weather travel access unlike 6 months halt due to snowfall earlier but will also reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kms and 4-5 hours.

State of the art electromechanical systems including semi transverse ventilation, SCADA controlled fire fighting, illumination and monitoring systems are installed in this tunnel making it an technologically advanced tunnel.

Bogibeel Bridge

Bovibeel bridge in India’s longest and Asia’s second longest rail cum road bridge built on the river Brahmaputra in Assam with the length of 4940 metres. It is one of its kind fully welded steel bridge without any joint.The bridge reduces the travel time to four hours between two states – Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. It was dedicated to the nation in December 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said on this occasion that, “this bridge was started in 2004 but it suffered due to change in government for a decade”.

Bhupen Hazarika Bridge

Dhola – Sadiya bridge given the name as Bhupen Hazarika Setu. This 9.15 km long beam bridge over Lohit river which is also the largest tributaries of Brahmaputra river is India’s longest bridge over water. This bridge connects Assam and Arunanchal Pradesh.

After years of independence, it was the first permanent road connecting north Assam and east Arunachal Pradesh. Given the proximity of the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh, the bridge is an important asset in terms of transportation of essential goods and services for the Indian Army. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in May 2017. The interesting fact it that before 2014, there was only 1 bridge over Brahmaputra river.

Chenani – Nashri Tunnel

Chenani – Nashri tunnel named after great Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee is a 9 kilometre long twin tube tunnel between Udhampur and Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir. This tunnel will provide all weather transit. It is not only India’s longest Highway tunnel but also Asia’s longest bi-directional highway tunnel.

It is built at an elevation of 1200 metres in tough Himalayan terrain cutting down the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 2 hours bypassing a stretch of 41 km. 29 cross passages are given at equal distances for vehicle evacuation in case of breakdown. The fresh air inlets are at every 8 metres and exhaust at every 100 metres. This project will save a fuel of RS 27 lakh per day and so will be beneficial for the environment.

Z-Morh Tunnel

The 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh highway will provide connectivity throughout the year. It is constructed at an elevation of 8960 ft which is designed for a flow of 1000 vehicles per hour. Along with the 14.15 km Zojila Tunnel to its east, it aims to enhance the Indian military’s capabilities in Kashmir and Ladakh along both the Line of Control (LOC) to the north and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) further east. It will ensure all-weather connectivity between Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and Kargil in Ladakh. It will take only 15 minutes to travel the 6.5 km long tunnel compared to hours over the zig-zag road up and down the hills. It was inaugurated in April 2023 by Hon’ble Union Minister for Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari

Zojila Tunnel

Zojila Tunnel is an under construction tunnel is aimed to provide all round and all weather connectivity with Ladakh avoiding the snow blocks during the harsh winters. This tunnel will be 9.5 metres wide and 7.57 metres high. Advanced technology like the new Australian Tunneling Method is used to make this horseshoe shaped tunnel. This tunnel’s length will be 14.25 kilometres which will make it India’s longest Highway tunnel and Asia’s longest bidirectional tunnel. In 2016, funds were raised and in 2020 few changes were made in design and a new contract was assigned under EPC module.

The engineers also believe that to construct Zojila Tunnel is a tough task in such harsh weather and tough terrain surrounding these fragile Himalayan mountains. The present travelling time between Srinagar and Ladakh is three and a half hours. It is expected to be reduced to 15 minutes after the tunnel is completed.

The new India’s infrastructure developed in an unimaginable pace and scale. In its Amrit Kaal, the country not only aims to expand its infrastructure but it looks forward to enhance its quality, speed and safety parameters with state of the art structures which are redefining it’s infrastructure at the global stage.