Centre mandates risk registers, umbrella geotech study in tunnel projects

After several incidents of tunnel collapses, especially the one in Uttarkashi which saw the multi-week rescue operation of 41 workers in 2023, the Centre has come up with guidelines which mandate the preparation of "risk register" in the planning stages of tunnel projects.

- DHRUVAKSH SAHA

Geotechnical Baselines shall be based on apt and appropriate geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations, the guidelines said

“The recent occurrences of tunnel collapses during construction have prompted a critical assessment of current implementation methodologies and the necessary improvements to prevent such incidents from recurring,” the ministry of road transport and highways said in its Guidelines for Prevention and Mitigation of Road Tunnel Collapses.

It added that the foremost priority is the engagement of a competent execution team, appropriately sized and highly knowledgeable, with a demonstrated track record of successfully delivering projects under similar geological and logistical conditions.

“The terms of reference for detailed project report (DPR)/project management consultancy shall mandate the preparation of a Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) and a Risk Register. The Risk Register should include the perceived hazards and associated risks for the project and indicate potential mitigation measures with comprehensive explanations for their basis, based on the DPR studies,” the guidelines said.