Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand): If all goes well, traffic operations on the much-discussed under-construction Silkyara tunnel will begin by January-February 2027. Approximately 90 percent of the civil work in the tunnel has been completed. Electrical work is now also being completed rapidly. According to officials of the construction company, traffic operations in the tunnel will begin by January-February 2027. This will reduce the distance to Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines and provide relief to travelers from traffic congestion at Radi Top. DPM Sriram of Navayuga Company stated that the tunnel construction work is progressing rapidly and traffic operations will begin in January-February 2027.
The tunnel, approximately 4.5 km long, is being constructed by NHIDCL on the Yamunotri Highway at a cost of Rs 1384 crore. It is now in its final stages, after which traffic operations will begin. This will facilitate the Char Dham Yatra and reduce the distance between the Ganga and Yamuna valleys. The tunnel gained global attention in November 2023 when 41 workers were trapped inside for 17 days. Construction work remained suspended for about six months after this incident. Construction resumed after scientific advice and other technical investigations. Its completion will provide relief to travelers from traffic jams at Radi Top during the Char Dham Yatra and from road closures due to snowfall during the winter months. There is also much speculation about Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the tunnel’s inauguration ceremony. Sriram, the DPM (Deputy Project Manager) of Navayuga Company, which is constructing the tunnel, stated that the tunnel construction work is progressing rapidly and traffic operations will begin in January-February 2027. It is worth noting that a section of the Silkyara tunnel suddenly collapsed on the morning of Diwali, November 12, 2023. This incident trapped 41 workers in the tunnel, and their rescue took 17 days. The entire country and the world watched this rescue operation. Finally, after 17 days, all the trapped workers were successfully rescued. Following the successful rescue, the 41 workers who had been trapped in the tunnel were able to breathe fresh air again after 17 days.
