A senior official from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) announced on Tuesday that a tunnel measuring six kilometers in length will be constructed between Bundi and Garbiyang on the Ghatiabagar-Lipulekh road in Uttarakhand. The purpose of this tunnel is to ensure smoother access to the last border post of the Lipulekh pass on the India-China border. ATINOK India Consultants has been awarded the contract for conducting the survey work for the tunnel. They have already initiated the survey work and are expected to submit their final proposal within a year.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 20 billion, and it is anticipated to commence in four to five years, according to the Chief Engineer of Project Hirak, Vimal Goswami. In anticipation of the proposed tunnel, the BRO has maintained the border road between Bundi and Garbiyang as a single lane, while the remaining sections will be converted into double lanes.

The BRO officer also mentioned that the border road, which was inaugurated in 2020, is currently undergoing black-topping and double-laning. The majority of the double-laning work has nearly been completed. However, the final five-kilometer section of the road, extending from the KMVN huts to the Lipulekh pass, is awaiting permission for formation-cutting. Once the Central Command headquarters grants permission, this remaining work can be completed within 100 days, as stated by the officer.

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