Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel

Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel Latest News

Union Road Transport and Highways recently termed the breakthrough in the Silkyara bend-Barkot road tunnel a historic milestone, saying this transformative tunnel will save one hour of travel time.

About Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel

• It is a 4.531 km long, two-lane bi-directional tunnel with an escape passage, located on the Dharasu-Yamunotri section in Uttarakhand. 
• Barkot and Silkyara are the two ends of the tunnel. 
• Part of NH-134 (formerly NH-94), the project is being constructed under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Mode.
• Around ninety percent of the tunnel is being excavated in phyllite, which is very weak rock.
• The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) is used for the construction of the tunnel. 
• NATM is a method of modern tunnel design and construction employing sophisticated monitoring to optimize various wall reinforcement techniques based on the type of rock encountered as tunnelling. 
• Funded under the National Highway Original [NH(O)] Scheme of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, it is a key component of the ambitious Chardham Plan.
• It promises to cut travel time by about an hour and improve accessibility, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
• Yamunotri is just about 50 km from this tunnel. It will provide easy access to devotees to Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel FAQs

Q1. Where is Silkyara tunnel situated?

Ans. Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand

Q2. Is Silkyara tunnel part of Char Dham Yatra?

Ans. Yes, the Silkyara Tunnel is part of infrastructure developed to support the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

Q3. How long is the Silkaya tunnel?

Ans. It is 4.531 km long.

Source: N18