The recently built 154.22-meter Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel in Shimla, which cost Rs. 47.36 crore, was officially opened on Monday by Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. During the previous BJP government, the Chief Minister said at the time, the tunnel’s progress was moving slowly. However, his administration accelerated the construction process, which allowed the tunnel to be finished in less than a year.
“The state government has directed all departments to adhere to the time-bound completion of each project, as the government aims to maximise benefits for the people of the state at the earliest,” CM Sukhu said.
The existing Dhalli Tunnel, dating back to 1852, served as a single-lane passage and had surpassed its design life, causing persistent traffic congestion. The inauguration of the new tunnel marks a strategic move to alleviate these issues and provide smoother transportation for residents and tourists alike.
The Chief Minister said, “Tourism, a key industry in Himachal Pradesh, stands to benefit significantly from the improved connectivity. The tunnel, strategically positioned on the route to popular destinations like Kufri, Naldehra, Tattapani, Narkanda, and Chail, will ease the movement of tourists and contribute to the region’s economic growth. The state government is committed to modernising its infrastructure, promoting tourism and addressing the needs of both residents and visitors.”
According to Chief Minister Sukhu, the most practical and long-term way to ease traffic on Shimla’s circular road is to build a new tunnel. Beyond its benefits to the infrastructure, the project is anticipated to create jobs locally and promote more social interaction in the community. He promised renovations for the old tunnel as well. Among those in attendance were Ministers of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Anirudh Singh, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan’s Principal Advisor for Media, MLA Harish Janartha, and Mayor Surender Chauhan of Shimla.