Workers repair NH31A in Gangtok on Monday ahead of Pallam Raju’s visit. Picture by Prabin Khaling

Gangtok, Oct. 11: Sikkim’s first cut-and-cover tunnel constructed on NH31A to mitigate disruptions arising from landslides will be opened to traffic at Bardang tomorrow.

“The 61.6-metre tunnel at Bardang is the first of its kind in Sikkim and second to be constructed in the country. The tunnel will mitigate problems of landslides faced by commuters on NH31A,” said A.K. Singh, the executive engineer of Project Swastik.

NH31A, the lifeline of Sikkim, is cut off frequently with mudslides hitting the road frequently at Bardang.

Singh said the tunnel would be inaugurated tomorrow by Union minister of state for defence M.M. Pallam Raju at Bardang, around 35km from here. Raju, who is also the chairman of the Border Roads Development Board, will be in Sikkim for two days. He will be accompanied by BRO director general Lt Gen. M.C. Badhani.

The tunnel construction, taken up under BRO’s Project Swastik, started in November last year. Five concrete mixers, a concrete pump, road roller, JCB, dozer, crane and a generator set were pressed into service by the BRO.

“The tunnel has been constructed at a cost of Rs 677 lakh by the BRO and is suitable for two-way traffic. The tunnel will ensure all weather traffic movement for highway users. Sixty unskilled and 20 skilled labourers worked round the clock and completed the tunnel in 11 months,” said Singh.

The cut-and-cover tunnel is the one that is raised above the surface of the earth with walls and capping beams. India’s first cut-and-cover tunnel is in Meghalaya.

During the visit, the minister will review the progress of works on Sikkim’s lifeline, NH31A, and on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg connecting Gangtok with Nathu-la. The JN Marg had been closed for two months because of repeated mudslides at 17th Mile before being opened to traffic on October 8. Raju will go to Nathu-la on Wednesday morning and oversee the upgrade work on JN Marg.

The part of NH31A in Gangtok is getting a facelift ahead of Raju’s visit. Potholes and worn-out portions on the stretch are being repaired by BRO labourers. The repair that began a few days ago has been causing traffic jams in Gangtok.

He will return to Bagdogra from Nathu-la on a chopper on Wednesday evening.