Tender process for first 40-km phase finalised

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, March 25

The National Highways Authority of India has finalised the tendering process for the first phase of Kangra-Shimla four-lane project for the 40-km stretch between Kangra and Jwalamukhi. Tenders were opened at the NHAI office at New Delhi on Saturday and the name of final bidder would be declared next week.

Official sources said here on Sunday that construction work for the four-lane project would be allotted in a phased manner to different companies so that the project was completed as per schedule. After the completion of the four-lane project, distance between Kangra and Shimla will be reduced by 20 km.

The major towns falling between Kangra and Shimla like Daulatpur, Jwalamukhi, Nadaun, Ghumarwin, Darlaghat and Ghannahatti will be bypassed. The longest 14-km bypass will be constructed at Darlaghat so that traffic congestion is reduced. Traffic jams are often witnessed on this stretch of the highway because of two cement plants.

Ghumarwin town of Bilaspur district will also be kept out of the four-lane project by constructing a six-km bypass. Likewise, congested temple town of Jwalamukhi will also be bypassed by constructing another six-km bypass between Sapri and Nadaun.

There is also a proposal for construction of nine tunnels between Kangra and Shimla. Three tunnels will be constructed in Shimla town to link the highway with the ISBT with a total length of 2,561 m. In Ghannahatti, two tunnels with a length of 300 meter and 450 m will be constructed.

To bypass Darlaghat another tunnel between Danoghat and Piplughat will be executed. Its length will be 3,510 m. To bypass Nadaun town a 620 m tunnel will come up from Majjhin Chowk to and Gaggal.

It has also been proposed to convert the existing Daulatpur tunnel into a two-way lane.

Bypass at Darlaghat

• The major towns falling between Kangra and Shimla like Daulatpur, Jwalamukhi, Nadaun, Ghumarwin, Darlaghat and Ghannahatti will be bypassed. 
• The longest 14-km bypass will be constructed at Darlaghat so that traffic congestion is reduced. 
• Traffic jams are always there on this stretch of the highway because of two cement plants.