The dream project of tunnel parking in Uttarakhand remained just a dream this year as well. Of the 12 planned tunnel parking facilities, the first one at Kempty Falls had its budget of ₹120 crore released, but construction stalled due to a change in the National Highway alignment. The government removed the construction company, NHIDCL, but no new company has taken over the work yet.
To address the parking problem in the state, tunnel parking facilities were planned in 12 cities in the hilly regions. These included two in Pauri, six in Tehri, two in Uttarkashi, and two in Nainital. The first tunnel parking facility was to be built at Kempty Falls, on the Tehri-Kempty Falls Mussoorie, Masih Mussoorie Road. After the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared, a budget of ₹120 crore was also released. It was designed to accommodate 400 vehicles, but construction never even began.
Just as the tunnel work was about to start, the National Highway authorities changed the alignment of the road passing in front of it. This resulted in a hill coming between the tunnel entrance and the road. Removing this hill or extending the tunnel parking facility required additional budget. Consequently, the Kempty tunnel parking project has been stalled for about a year. The company was removed, but a new company has not yet been appointed. Therefore, the tunnel parking project remained a dream this year as well.
Where are the tunnel parking facilities to be built in each district?
– Pauri: Lakshman Jhula and near Devprayag Railway Station (Saur).
– Tehri: Opposite the garbage dump on Old Tehri Road (Chamba), Nainbagh Dhanaulti, Chiledi village Tegad market and Thatiyud market, Main Market, Tehri-Kempty Falls Mussoorie.
– Uttarkashi: Gangotri and Gangnani.
– Nainital: On the Nainital-Bhowali road, on Cantonment Board land and near the first turn by the National Observatory.
