Tunnelling Emerges as Core Infrastructure Solution in India

Tunnels have transitioned from niche engineering feats to a central pillar of India’s infrastructure strategy across highways, railways and urban transport.

Strategic Shift in Infrastructure Planning
Projects such as the Atal Tunnel under the Pir Panjal range demonstrated India’s ability to construct complex, high-altitude tunnels capable of year-round operation. By bypassing the Rohtang Pass, the tunnel sharply reduced distance and travel time, ensured uninterrupted access to Lahaul–Spiti, and strengthened defence logistics.

Focus on Border and Strategic Regions
The expansion of tunnelling is most evident in Jammu and Kashmir and other border states. The Sonamarg Tunnel and the upcoming Zojila Tunnel are expected to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh, improving access to healthcare and essential supplies while significantly enhancing military mobility.

Connectivity to Sensitive Regions
The Sela Tunnel on the Tezpur–Tawang route ensures year-round access to a strategically sensitive area in Arunachal Pradesh, while also creating new economic opportunities for local communities.

Railway Tunnelling Milestones
Tunnel T50, measuring 12.77 km, under the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is among India’s longest transport tunnels and forms a critical rail connection between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.

Urban Underground Expansion
Urban India is also witnessing the impact of tunnelling. Kolkata’s underwater metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly River, operational since 2024, marked a historic milestone in Indian engineering and urban transport development.