Shimla Bypass: NHAI Constructs Tunnel to Reduce Travel Time Between Kaithlighat & Shakral by 1.5 Hours

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has achieved a major breakthrough in the construction of a tunnel on the Shimla Bypass connecting Kaithlighat and Shakral, an official statement announced on Thursday.

The almost 18-km, four-lane Shimla Bypass is being built at a cost of around Rs 1,850 crore with an aim to decongest the summer capital of Himachal Pradesh.

In a series of posts on X, NHAI said the 705-meter-long, four-lane tunnel will reduce distance between Kaithlighat and Shakral, reducing travel time by around 1.5 hours.

“NHAI achieved a significant milestone with the breakthrough in the construction of tunnel 1 of the twin tunnel project on Shimla Bypass in Himachal Pradesh… construction of this tunnel will help to preserve about 5,000 trees in the region that will contribute towards preventing slope erosion,” the post reads.

The tunnel, they added, will feature ventilation fans, LED lighting, safety devices such as smoke sensors, fire alarms, a sprinkler system and emergency exits for exigencies. Also, a cross-passage tunnel is being constructed between the two tubes to enhance commuter safety.

The new road is divided into two packages — 17 kilometres between Kaithlighat to Shakral and 11 kilometres between Shakral and Dhalli. The bypass will reduce the distance between Kaithlighat and Dhalli from 40.1 km to 28.4 km. A total of 10 tunnels will be constructed on the bypass.

At least four tunnels, with a collective length of around four kilometres, will be built on the Kaithlighat to Shakral section. There will be 18 big bridges and 53 box culverts as well. The project is to be completed by April 2026. The work on the project started in April 2023 and the tunnel in June 2023.

Those heading to Kufri, Narkanda, Naldehra Tattapani and Kinnaur will no longer have to pass through Shimla and can take this road as a faster alternative.

The bypass will help Shimla in controlling accidents and traffic jams. It will also ease the city’s parking woes and save fuel and prevent the city from air pollution as it will take a number of vehicles away from the city.