Bhubaneswar: A major leap forward in Odisha’s infrastructure story has emerged from the hills of Sunki Ghat, where the state’s first-ever twin highway tunnel now stands completed. Built as part of the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the project is expected to transform road travel, regional trade, and tourism across southern Odisha and neighbouring states.
Engineered at a height of 3,000 feet above sea level, the tunnel features two six-lane tubes, measuring 3.42 km and 2.8 km respectively. The terrain was as demanding as it was remote, cutting through rugged hills and forest areas. Yet, the construction team made headlines in May 2024, achieving a record 750 metres of excavation in a single month and 36.8 metres in just one day.
The tunnel, set to be fully operational by 2025, will dramatically reduce travel time along the busy Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor. More importantly, it promises year-round access and safer passage for commuters and transporters, especially in flood-prone or landslide-vulnerable areas of Koraput and Nabarangpur districts.
Officials believe this development will be a game-changer for the region. For years, poor road infrastructure has hindered access to markets, education, and healthcare in southern Odisha. Now, the new tunnel is poised to bring about a logistical and economic transformation.
With smoother access to scenic and cultural destinations, the tunnel is also expected to breathe new life into Odisha’s tourism sector. Locations like Deomali Hills, Gupteswar Cave, and indigenous tribal communities, once hard to reach, will be better connected to tourist inflows from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Travel operators and hospitality businesses are gearing up to tap into this potential. Locals anticipate an increase in footfall, job opportunities, and market access for regional crafts and forest produce.
Beyond its physical structure, the twin tunnel represents a larger vision for connectivity-led development. It aligns with state and national efforts to integrate highway, rail, and freight corridors, enabling seamless mobility across eastern and central India.
“This is not just a tunnel; it’s a corridor of possibilities,” said a senior NHAI engineer overseeing the project.
With the successful completion of this pioneering infrastructure, Odisha has laid a strong foundation for future-ready transport systems and a brighter, better-connected future for its remote communities.
