SRINAGAR: The Union Government on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that it is strengthening tunnel safety across the country through real-time monitoring systems, updated operational guidelines and a proposed uniform national safety framework covering tunnels constructed by both the Centre and State Governments.
Replying to an unstarred question by Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said road tunnels on National Highways are being constructed in accordance with the Indian Roads Congress (IRC: SP:91-2019) guidelines, which prescribe standards for lighting, visibility, ventilation, fire safety and other operational requirements.
The Minister said structural health monitoring and real-time monitoring systems, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), are being incorporated wherever required on the basis of project-specific technical assessments and site conditions.
He informed the House that the Ministry has issued detailed guidelines on tunnel alignment studies, prevention and mitigation of tunnel collapses, and standard operating procedures for the movement of vehicles carrying hazardous materials through tunnels on September 2, 2025, December 5, 2025, and January 27, 2026, respectively. These guidelines provide for continuous monitoring, periodic risk reviews and timely mitigation measures to enhance long-term structural stability and user safety.
Gadkari said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with IIT Delhi, is preparing comprehensive National Guidelines for Tunnel Safety covering all categories of tunnels undertaken by Central and State Governments. Officials and technical experts from various organisations are contributing to the work of the Technical Expert Committee tasked with framing the guidelines.
The Minister added that the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has already issued separate guidelines to ensure uniform safety standards for railway tunnels, covering inspection, maintenance, construction and design.
For tunnels passing beneath rivers or the sea, Gadkari said project-specific safety measures are adopted based on detailed engineering designs and applicable IRC codes. These include provisions for real-time monitoring, water ingress management, lighting, ventilation and fire safety, depending on geological and hydrological conditions.
The proposed national framework assumes significance for Himalayan regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, where road tunnel infrastructure is expanding rapidly to improve all-weather connectivity and requires robust safety and monitoring systems.
