Centre finalises alignment of Jalori tunnel on NH-305

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved the final alignment for the Jalori tunnel on the Aut-Luhri national highway (NH-305), which will connect Sainj on NH-5. The 4.16-km tunnel will be constructed beneath the 10,800-ft Jalori Pass from Shoja in Banjar and Bhargol in Anni. Though this will only reduce the distance by 8 km, it will provide all-weather connectivity between Banjar and Anni.

The approach road from the Banjar side will span 5.48 km from Ghiyagi, while from the Anni side, it will extend 2.14 km from Khanag. The consultant has been directed to make necessary modifications to the Banjar side approach to meet the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards. Additionally, two viaducts will be built on the approach roads.

The alignment was finalised after discussions in a meeting chaired by the Director General (Road Development) and Special Secretary in New Delhi. The decision took into account factors such as anticipated geology, portal stability, adequate working area, avoidance of the snowline and shadow zone, prevention of landslides, minimal land acquisition and forest clearance and economic feasibility.

KL Suman, the Executive Engineer (XEN) of the National Highway Wing of the PWD, said the alignment has been approved and the process of drafting the detailed project report (DPR) and land acquisition will now begin. He assured that the final alignment will not impact inhabited areas or the religiously significant Saryolsar Lake near the Jalori Pass. Earlier, residents of Shoja village had boycotted the Lok Sabha elections to oppose the tunnel alignment, asserting threat to the existence of the village.

For decades, people from the Anni Assembly constituency have been demanding the construction of the Jalori tunnel, as they are often forced to risk their lives crossing the pass on foot to reach Kullu or travel an extra 100 km via Mandi to reach the district headquarters in Kullu. Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh had also urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to expedite the tunnel’s completion.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur expressed gratitude to the Central Government for approving the tunnel alignment. He said, “The Central Government had addressed the concerns of the people of Shoja by making significant changes in the alignment.” Thakur also praised the Centre for its generous financial assistance, which is accelerating development in Himachal Pradesh. Banjar MLA Surender Shourie and Anni MLA Lokender Kumar also expressed their gratitude to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.