Post-Silkyara disaster, SOP for tunnel alignment studies, approval on NHS

IN the wake of tunnel collapse incidents like Silkyara in Uttarakhand, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has worked out standard operating procedure (SOP) for tunnel alignment studies and approval on national highways; mandating that at least three alternative alignments such as the shortest path, geologically or geotechnically favourable routes, and options with minimal social or cost impact must be evaluated before finalising the alignment.

- PARVEZ SULTAN @New Delhi

The guidelines caution against routes passing through eco-sensitive zones, heritage sites, fault lines, steep slopes, or dense urban settlements. They prescribe a step-by-step methodology: identifying preliminary corridors, reviewing past investigation reports, collecting high-resolution baseline data across multiple disciplines, developing technically viable alignments, consulting stakeholders, and comparing alternatives to ensure robust planni