NEW DELHI: To enhance safety standards and ensure stricter quality monitoring of highway tunnel construction, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed to set up a national pool of multidisciplinary “tunnel experts” to independently review and examine the projects.
The step comes amidst growing recognition of the technical complexities involved in tunnelling works across challenging terrains, particularly in hilly and geologically sensitive regions. According to the officials, National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) functioning under the ministry, will empanel domain experts, particularly retired government engineers and experienced professionals from diverse fields such as civil engineering, mining, geology, and electro-mechanical systems.
These experts will be tasked with reviewing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), examining technical proposals, and advising on construction challenges. As part of the proposal, the plan is also to draw technical experts from premier academic institutions such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs), besides consulting firms and independent engineers.
NHIDCL is mandated with the development and maintenance of national highways, bridges, tunnels and related infrastructure such as Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), multi-level car parking and water supply works.
“There is a need for third-party checks or inspection of works for effective monitoring and implementation of tunnels. NHIDCL therefore feels that the services of officers of the rank of Superintending Engineer (SE) and above such as Chief Engineer (CE), Engineer-in-Chief (E-in-C), Additional Director General (ADG), and Director General (DG) who have retired from service can be gainfully utilised, including technical personnel from consulting firms, independent engineers, PSUs, IITs/NITs,” said officials.
A panel of tunnel experts will be prepared, and empanelled members would be assigned various tasks related to NHIDCL tunnel projects.
