By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 19 May: Following the ongoing construction of several big tunnels in the hills, the state government is now also turning its focus on the plains. Sources claim that a major tunnel project is being seriously considered in Terai region of Haridwar district. A proposal for this has been sent to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari by Haridwar MP Trivendra Singh Rawat. The unique aspect of this project is that the tunnel is planned not in the mountains, but in the plains, specifically in the Terai region of Haridwar.
The proposal submitted by MP Trivendra Singh Rawat to the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, aims to construct a tunnel beneath the Mansa Devi Parvat in Haridwar to alleviate the increasing pressure of traffic. The envisioned tunnel would provide a route to divert city traffic towards Raiwala-Motichur. Rawat has held several discussions in this regard with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to push forward this initiative.
It may be recalled that Haridwar has been experiencing a consistent surge in traffic volume, be it during the various melas (fairs) held in the city, the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage, or other significant festivals. The influx of pilgrims traveling for the Char Dham Yatra further aggravates this congestion. Consequently, the National Highways and inner-city roads regularly face long traffic jams.
To provide relief to the general public from these persistent traffic snarls and to reduce the vehicular pressure within the city, Rawat has engaged in discussions with Gadkari regarding the construction of an approximately 10-kilometre-long road tunnel in Haridwar. According to Rawat, this tunnel would significantly benefit the residents of the city and also help in diverting traffic heading towards Dehradun away from the congested areas.
Rawat also shared that the project is currently in its initial stages of discussion, and considerable work remains to be done. Once the central government gives its approval to the project, work on all aspects, including land surveys and the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), will commence. Additionally, studies will be conducted to determine the most feasible route for the tunnel.
The proposed route for the tunnel in Haridwar, as suggested by Rawat, is likely to connect the TBD Phatak or BHEL area, pass beneath the Mansa Devi hill, and extend up to Motichur. However, it has be kept in view that the region is known to experience frequent landslides. Notably, the railway tunnel being constructed beneath the same hill for the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line has also been affected by landslides in the past.
The idea for this tunnel also stems from the fact that the existing Hill Bypass Road connecting Haridwar to Motichur has become entirely unusable, with no vehicular movement on it for years. The state government has reportedly spent substantial amounts of money on its repair in the past, but without any positive outcome.
The opinion of scientists regarding this entire tunnel proposal will be crucial. The geologists have in the past stated that the Bilwa Parvat (the hill range including Mansa Devi) is extremely fragile, similar to other young Himalayan mountains in Uttarakhand. Hence there are some concerns but with the recent advancements in tunnelling technology, as seen in the ongoing Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway project, the project may turn out to be feasible.
The Mansa Devi hill in Haridwar is not only a geological feature but also houses the revered Mansa Devi temple and some residential areas. Earlier, IIT Roorkee had also worked on the problematic Hill Bypass Road in this region, and their studies also concluded that the existing bypass is not currently suitable for traffic. While IIT Roorkee had suggested treatment measures for the bypass, no significant work was undertaken in that direction. Geologist Joshi also emphasized the need to consider that a significant portion of Haridwar, including Har Ki Pauri, Bhimgoda, and Bara Bazaar, is situated below this very hill. The feasibility and potential environmental impact of constructing a tunnel in this sensitive zone will be key considerations as the proposal moves forward. If the project materialises, it is expected to provide significant relief from traffic congestion for both tourists visiting Haridwar and local residents.
