Twin tunnels set to transform travel across Kangra valley

Six months after completing the finishing touches on the 1,200-metre twin-tube tunnels at Daultapur, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) stands on the brink of inaugurating one of the most crucial components of the Shimla-Kangra four-lane project. Built at a cost of Rs 200 crore, the tunnels form a key link along the Kangra-Ranital stretch, promising to reshape regional connectivity.

Heavy monsoon rains, however, delayed the formal opening, as work on a culvert over the Riyundh Khud rivulet continues. Officials now expect to open the route for regular traffic by December 2025, revising the earlier August target.

“Once operational, the tunnels will transform travel between Ranital and Kangra,” said a senior NHAI officer. “The distance will reduce by 6 km, and travel time will drop from 45 minutes to just 15.”

The new alignment will bypass Kangra town, directly connecting the Shimla-Kangra four-lane with the Pathankot-Mandi highway at Kacchiari, near Tanda Medical College.

The project will also open up the route for Volvo sleeper buses and heavy transport vehicles, which were previously restricted by the low height of the colonial-era tunnel. Car carriers can now deliver vehicles to Kangra, Dharamsala, Palampur, Baijnath and Joginder Nagar without detours.

Inside, the tunnels feature high-capacity ventilation fans, LED lighting and comprehensive fire safety systems — including detectors, alarms, sprinklers and extinguishers — ensuring a safe, modern and efficient driving experience for every commuter.