Govt issues SOP for tunnel alignment in NH projects, mandates multi-criteria evaluation
New Delhi: The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding the identification, evaluation, and selection of optimal tunnel alignments for National Highway (NH) projects.
Mandating a structured, data-driven approach for identifying optimal tunnel alignments—particularly for tunnels exceeding 1.5 kilometres in length—the SOP states that authorities must evaluate at least three alignment alternatives based on technical feasibility, environmental compatibility, social impact, and cost-effectiveness before proceeding with a particular alignment.
