All eyes on completion of Odisha’s first road tunnel in Koraput under Raipur-Vizag corridor

Nestled in the lap of nature, Koraput truly seems like paradise on earth. A road trip here leaves the visitors mesmerized with sharp turns on the hilly route at Sunki Ghati. Several accidents on the route remained a cause of concern. However, such dangers are likely to be eliminated after the construction of two big tunnels.

“Sunki Ghati is not a place of accidents, rather it is a landscape depicting clouds, natural beauty, and tribal lifestyles,” said a tourist

These two big tunnels in the State are a part of the 465 km Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor. This has been approved under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I of the Rs 16,000 crore six-lane national highway project.

The tunnels measuring around 3.4 km and 2.8 km will be built in Sunki Ghati. Along with these two tunnels in Koraput, 124 km of road will also be constructed under the project. The NHAI has acquired 773 hectares of private, 307 hectares of government, and 365 hectares of forest land in Koraput and Nabarangpur districts.

The corridor will serve as a lifeline from Raipur to Nabarangpur and from Jeypore, Koraput to Visakhapatnam. Not only better road connectivity but the project is also expected to play a crucial role in boosting the tourism sector, education and other socio-economic development.

Koraput Collector, Abdaal Akhtar said, “It is access control six-lane expressway. We have already identified and handed over land for shops, rest sheds, and amenity centers for future economic development. Disbursement for the entire land acquisition process was completed in five to six months. The physical work is almost 50 percent over.”

The construction work for the project is going on in full swing and it is expected to be completed by 2025.

Pradip Patra, a businessman said, “For travelling to the airport, it is now taking 5 hours on the existing route. Once the project is completed, it will take less than 2.5 hours. Similarly, Raipur connectivity will also improve. The project will be helpful for the undivided Koraput district.”