The Shimla Bypass project achieved a major milestone on the last day of the year as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) successfully connected both ends of Tunnel-4 in record time, paving the way for smoother travel and faster movement of apple produce from upper Shimla.
With this breakthrough, work on the Shimla Bypass is set to gain further momentum. Notably, just a week earlier on December 23, both ends of Tunnel-5 were also connected, marking rapid progress on the project.
Tunnel-4 has a total length of 410 metres and was completed in a record span of just nine months. The tunnel has been constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), currently regarded as one of the most efficient and safe tunnelling techniques.
The breakthrough ceremony on December 31, 2025, was attended by NHAI PIU Shimla Project Director Anand Kumar, Managing Director of Bharat Construction Rajiv Garg, along with engineers and field staff associated with the project.
About the Shimla Bypass Project
The 27.457-kilometre-long Shimla Bypass is a crucial component of the Chandigarh–Shimla corridor. The project includes five tunnels and aims to make travel faster, safer, and more convenient for the public.
Once completed, the bypass is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion within Shimla city and cut travel time to Shimla (Dhalli) by nearly an hour.
Beyond easing daily traffic woes, the project is expected to give a major push to tourism and provide much-needed relief to residents and tourists heading towards upper Shimla.
Importantly, during the apple season, orchardists will benefit from smoother and quicker transportation of apples to Shimla and onward to outside markets, reducing delays and post-harvest losses.
