Govt looking to build tunnel in Gobind Sagar Lake: Dharmani

The state government is exploring the possibility of the construction of an underwater transport tunnel in the Gobind Sagar Lake to connect Bilaspur city with the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway near Rishikesh, said Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani at Bilaspur yesterday.

He said that if the tunnel was constructed, it would be one of a kind underwater pass in a lake in the country. He added that the tunnel would be built from Luhnu Maidan towards Bilaspur to the highway across the Sutlej.

Dharmani said that with development was taking place on outskirts of Bilaspur and business activities had grown there, impacting business in the town. He added that the construction of the underwater tunnel would prove to be a lifesaver for Bilaspur town.

He said that after the construction of the Kiratpur-Manali highway, Bilaspur lost connectivity, resulting in loss of economic activities. The construction of the bridge would also provide traders quick access to the town, he added.

The minister said that the underwater tunnel would also be a new tourist attraction. He added that it would be constructed with the help of advanced immersion tunnel technology of Germany. A part of the connecting road would be open while the other would be the tunnel under water.

Meanwhile, Dharmani laid the foundation stone of a new exit road to the Ghumarwin bus stand today.