After Bilaspur tunnel collapse, NHAI set to issue stricter safety norms for builders

NEW DELHI: Following the Bilaspur tunnel collapse in Himachal Pradesh in which one labourer is still untraceable, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now issuing a fresh guideline for stricter compliance of safety norms while executing such projects, particularly in the hill states.
NHAI has also summoned the contractor, IL&FS to find what went wrong in the project and whether there is a need to redesign the tunnel.Sources said there is no plan to go for a complete relook at the design of tunnels. “It’s a specific project and we will find the exact reason behind the mishap. We may have to tweak the design. As per preliminary information, it seems the loose soil is responsible for the mishap,” an official said.
NHAI chairman Raghav Chandra told TOI, “We will issue to circular on safety aspects while building tunnels to project directors posted in states where we are undertaking similar projects. The idea is to have greater focus on safety of workers and also of the structures.” Over half a dozen tunnel works are underway in Himachal Pradesh and J&K.
Sources said the NHAI guideline will also be of greater help to similar works undertaken in the border areas.
The Bilaspur tunnel is part of the Kiratpur-Nerchowk-Manali road project. The under construction tunnel collapsed five months after the work started in April.