The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to invest Rs 1 trillion in the construction of 74 new tunnels, spanning 273 kilometers, as part of a large-scale initiative to enhance India's highway network, according to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. This ambitious project will also include regular performance audits for all ongoing constructions to ensure quality.

Speaking at the second edition of the Tunnelling India conference organised by FICCI, Gadkari advocated for joint ventures in tunnel construction, where foreign partners would hold a 51% stake. This approach aims to attract serious, technically qualified players and improve work quality for tunnel projects.

Gadkari emphasised the importance of adopting advanced, cost-effective technologies tailored to India's diverse terrains while maintaining high standards. He noted that 35 tunnels, covering 49 kilometers and costing Rs 150 billion, have already been completed by the government.

(ET)