Gadkari gives green signal to strategic Bhubu Jot tunnel

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has directed officials to prepare the final Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the much-anticipated Bhubu Jot tunnel connecting Kullu and Jogindernagar. Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur confirmed that Union Minister has given the green light to the project at the request of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The Bhubu Jot tunnel is expected to slash the distance between Kullu and Jogindernagar by 58 km and cut travel time by roughly two hours. These savings will benefit commuters, tourists and transporters alike, making journey faster and efficient.

In the original 2014 DPR, the tunnel’s tentative cost was estimated at around Rs 460 crore. That figure excluded access roads—from Kullu to Telang and Shilh to Bhadwani—overseen by the Himachal PWD, which also planned to widen approach routes on either side.

In 2016, the Shilh–Bhadwani–Ghatasani–Bhubu Jot–Kullu stretch received in-principle approval as a new National Highway.

Efforts to get the Bhubu Jot tunnel off the drawing board have spanned years, yet ground-level work has stalled repeatedly. Beyond travel convenience, the tunnel holds strategic importance as it will provide an alternative all-weather link to the Pathankot–Manali highway, a lifeline when Himalayan passes are blocked.

Narender, a resident of Lug Valley, urged the government to fast-track the tunnel so that Kullu gets a reliable backup route whenever the Kullu–Mandi highway is closed. “During the monsoon, landslides can cut off essential supplies for days. An alternative corridor is not just convenient—it’s critical,” he said.

Local leaders draw parallels between the proposed tunnel and the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass, which transformed access to Lahaul-Spiti. “Just as Atal Tunnel marked a milestone for Lahaul, Bhubu Jot will be a game-changer for Kullu,” said residents Veer Singh and Ravinder Thakur. Former MP Maheshwar Singh has also thanked the Union Minister for allocating the necessary budget for the project.