NHAI completes key tunnel on Kaithlighat–Shakral highway

The NHAI has finished a 1.295-kilometre tunnel on NH-5 near Shimla, cutting travel distance and boosting highway flow over difficult terrain.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed a critical infrastructure milestone by completing a 1.295-kilometre tunnel on the Kaithlighat–Shakral segment of National Highway 5 near Shimla. The tunnel, built at a cost of ₹267 crore, is expected to reduce travel distance by 10-12 km, relieving traffic congestion and enhancing efficiency along this key uphill corridor.

The tunnel, located between Ranghav and Bhad villages in Shimla district, presented significant geological obstacles, such as unstable rock formations and severe water seepage. Despite these hurdles, NHAI’s engineering team successfully navigated the complexities using real-time geotechnical monitoring and advanced tunnelling techniques.

This tunnel is part of a larger four-laning endeavour on the Kaithlighat-Shakral bypass, a 17.456-kilometre project aiming at improving traffic flow and connecting Shimla and the surrounding areas. Officials see the initiative as a significant step forward in strengthening infrastructure in high-altitude regions, where topography and climate frequently impede progress.