In a landmark achievement for
the breakthrough of the Barkot-Silkyara Bend Tunnel Project, a key
infrastructure milestone along NH-134, was officially announced today. Shri
Pushkar Singh Dhami, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand along with Shri Ajay
Tamta, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways were
present on the occasion to witness the tunnel breakthrough.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted
that the breakthrough of the Barkot–Silkyara Bend Tunnel marks a historic
moment for Uttarakhand. The last ten years have witnessed uninterrupted
development across the country, and Uttarakhand is proudly contributing to that
journey, he added. Hon’ble Chief Minister also thanked Prime Minister Narendra
Modi for his visionary leadership, his guidance and support for showcasing the
new dimensions of development and prosperity.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Ajay Tamta congratulated everyone
for the breakthrough of the tunnel. He highlighted that under the able
leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Chief Minister, this project
has progressed with great momentum and has accelerated the pace of
Uttarakhand’s development like never before. Uttarakhand is witnessing
remarkable progress, and one of the key milestones has been the transformation
of single-lane roads into two-lane highways across the Char Dham route, he
added.
The day also saw the
consecration ceremony of the newly built
Baba Baukhnag temple, fulfilling a heartfelt promise made by the Hon’ble
Chief Minister to the locals during the tragic tunnel collapse of November
2023. Spanning a total length of 4.531 kilometers, the two-lane unidirectional
tunnel along NH-134 (Old NH-94) is designed to provide all-weather connectivity
between Dharasu and Yamunotri. The tunnel dramatically reduces travel time from
approximately one hour to just five minutes, boosting regional trade, tourism,
and socio-economic development while preserving ecologically sensitive forest
zones.
Rodic
Consultants, a leading engineering and digital infrastructure
consulting company, served as the Construction
Supervision Consultant for the project, playing a pivotal role in ensuring
timely, high-quality execution of all phases of tunnel construction. As part of
its responsibilities, Rodic supervised construction activities and advised
NHIDCL and the contractor on critical aspects such as design finalization,
safety measures, and engineering standards.
Speaking on the new
milestone, Shri Raj Kumar, Chairman
& Managing Director of Rodic Consultants, said, “We are proud to have
played a crucial role in the successful breakthrough of the Barkot–Silkyara
Bend Tunnel. As the Construction Supervision Consultant, Rodic has ensured the
highest standards of engineering excellence, quality assurance, and safety at
every stage of construction. Our team’s focus on innovation, including
digitalization of project data and implementation of a digital RFI system, has
brought enhanced transparency and efficiency to the site. We believe this
breakthrough is not just a construction milestone, it’s a step forward in
strengthening all-weather connectivity, boosting regional development, and
building a more resilient future for the communities of this region. We thank
the Government of India, NHIDCL, and our project partners for their trust and
collaboration throughout this journey.”
Rodic Consultants ensured
strict quality control by overseeing on-site laboratory testing for cement,
concrete, and aggregates, and conducting field tests for sprayed concrete and
rock bolts. The organization also played a key role in optimizing deployment of
manpower and machinery, ensuring safe and efficient worksite operations.
Embracing digital innovation, Rodic introduced a digital Request for Inspection
(RFI) system and digitalized project data management, significantly enhancing
transparency, efficiency, and quality assurance on-site.
Post the tunnel
breakthrough, the project now enters its final stages, including roadwork and
the installation of electrical and mechanical systems. The Barkot–Silkyara Bend
Tunnel stands as a testament to modern engineering excellence and cross-agency
collaboration.
