The work involves construction of a 9-km two lane main tunnel (13.3m diametre) along with a parallel escape tunnel (5 metre diametre) using the NATM technique of sequential excavation and support.
The technically complex project being built at an elevation of 1200 metres will use advanced drilling and tunnel forming equipment. The tunnel will cut through the mountain to develop an all-weather road connecting Chenani to Nashri reducing the present distance of 30 km to 10 km, besides cutting down travel time by an hour. Leighton Welspun expects to complete the project in five years.