Page 42 - September 2015 Digital Construction Opportunities

project focus CHENANI-NASHRI ROAD TUNNEL Himalayan marvel Tanks to rapid advancements in engineering of the Himalayan mountains will connect width of the tunnel is 11.75 m, including skills and technology, innovative ways have Chenani with Nashri in Udhampur district. the 9.35 m wide paved carriageway and 1.2 been found to meet growing transportation The Indian Government has entrusted m wide walkways on both sides with 5.5 requirements across the world. Though the National Highways Authority of m vertical clearance. Te tunnel geometry engineers, project managers and architects India (NHAI) with the responsibility has been defned taking into account the are actively involved in identifying new for rehabilitating, strengthening and provisions for the fully transverse ventilation modes of transportation like road, water, four-laning of Chenani to Nashri Section system (exhaust air and fresh air ducts are rail or air, connectivity through tunnels of NH-1A, from km 89 to km 130. It provided). Te escape tunnel complies with is also an important option in some cases. is the most important project planned the required clearance dimensions for the Such requirements are often seen while to connect the Kashmir valley with the operational stage. building networks in the hilly regions. One Indian transportation network systems. Te Te breakthrough for the Escape Tunnel was such engineering marvel is the Chenani- project was awarded by NHAI to Chenani achieved on June 2, 2014 and for the Main Nashri Tunnel project being constructed Nashri Tunnelway Ltd (CNTL), a 100 per Tunnel on July 13, 2015. On an average in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. On cent subsidiary of IL&FS Transportation about 900 workers have been working completion the 9 km long project will not Networks Ltd, foated specially to develop round the clock on the project and a total of just be longest tunnel in India but also in and execute the project. 10.23 million man hours have been spent at South East Asia. Te tunnel currently under The Concession Agreement for the site. Te total project cost is estimated to be construction is a part of an ambitious four project, inked on June 28, 2010, involves a worth `37,200 million, of which 80 per cent laning project of the NH-1A between construction period of fve years from the is being funded on debt basis from various Udhampur and Banihal. The tunnel, appointed date of May 23, 2011. ITNL plays banks including around US$ 60 million bypassing the existing NH-1A from 89 a dual role in the development of the project - through ECBs, which is being explored and km to 130 km, crosses the sub-Himalayan both as a concessionaire and as the developer. the remaining is through ITNL’s internal Patnitop range through a fyshoid geological Te 9 km long bi-directional (2-lane) main sources – equity and sub-debt. formation with maximum overburden of tunnel is served by a separate parallel escape 1050 m. It includes a 2-lane main tunnel tunnel that is designed as emergency access TECHNOLOGIES USED with parallel escape tunnel. Te concession for the rescue teams during operation as well Te tunnel is being constructed through the for project is on BOT (Annuity) basis for a as for site trafc use during construction New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) period of 20 years. stage. These two tunnels are connected technique. Under NATM, the tunnel is through pedestrian cross passages every 300 sequentially excavated and supported. Te PROJECT SPECIFICS m and vehicular cross passages at intervals project involves cutting and excavating the Te 9km long tunnel, being built at the foot of 1200 m. For the main tunnel the total massive Himalayan rocks, for which ITNL 42 construction opportunities|sEPTEMBER 2015