Barkot-Silkyara Bend Tunnel Project marks major breakthrough

The breakthrough of the Barkot-Silkyara Bend Tunnel Project, a key infrastructure milestone along NH-134, was officially announced. Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand along with Ajay Tamta, Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways were present on the occasion to witness the tunnel breakthrough.

Speaking on the occasion, Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted that the breakthrough of the Barkot-Silkyara Bend Tunnel marks a historic moment for Uttarakhand. “The last ten years have witnessed uninterrupted development across the country, and Uttarakhand is proudly contributing to that journey,” he added.

Addressing the gathering, Ajay Tamta congratulated everyone for the breakthrough of the tunnel. He highlighted that under the able leadership of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, this project has progressed with great momentum and has accelerated the pace of Uttarakhand’s development like never before. “Uttarakhand is witnessing remarkable progress, and one of the key milestones has been the transformation of single-lane roads into two-lane highways across the Char Dham route,” he added.

The day also saw the consecration ceremony of the newly built Baba Baukhnag temple, fulfilling a heartfelt promise made by the Chief Minister to the locals during the tragic tunnel collapse of November 2023. Spanning a total length of 4.531 km, the two-lane unidirectional tunnel along NH-134 (Old NH-94) is designed to provide all-weather connectivity between Dharasu and Yamunotri. The tunnel dramatically reduces travel time from approximately one hour to just five minutes, boosting regional trade, tourism, and socio-economic development while preserving ecologically sensitive forest zones.

Rodic Consultants, a leading engineering and digital infrastructure consulting company, served as the Construction Supervision Consultant for the project, playing a pivotal role in ensuring timely, high-quality execution of all phases of tunnel construction. As part of its responsibilities, Rodic supervised construction activities and advised NHIDCL and the contractor on critical aspects such as design finalization, safety measures, and engineering standards.

Speaking on the new milestone, Raj Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director of Rodic Consultants, said, “We are proud to have played a crucial role in the successful breakthrough of the Barkot-Silkyara Bend Tunnel. As the Construction Supervision Consultant, Rodic has ensured the highest standards of engineering excellence, quality assurance, and safety at every stage of construction. Our team’s focus on innovation, including digitalization of project data and implementation of a digital RFI system, has brought enhanced transparency and efficiency to the site. We believe this breakthrough is not just a construction milestone, it’s a step forward in strengthening all-weather connectivity, boosting regional development, and building a more resilient future for the communities of this region. We thank the Government of India, NHIDCL, and our project partners for their trust and collaboration throughout this journey.”

Post the tunnel breakthrough, the project now enters its final stages, including roadwork and the installation of electrical and mechanical systems. The Barkot-Silkyara Bend Tunnel stands as a testament to modern engineering excellence and cross-agency collaboration.