Kuthiran tunnel to open in time

Thrissur: All efforts would be made to complete the works of Kuthiran Twin Tunnel on the six-lane Mannthy-Vadakkenchery NH in time, the officials of sub-contractor Prakrithi Engineering, has said. The response of the company officials comes in wake of NHAI suggesting some changes in the concreting to be done for the tunnels and the bridge leading to the tunnels from the Palakkad side. The timeline set for the opening of the one tunnel for vehicular passage was in August and the other tunnel was on September.

The company officials said that they hope that the new direction from the NHAI to do gantry concrete in more areas inside the tunnel would not delay the works much. In February, the first tunnel was completed and then the officials of the company were of the opinion that the vehicular traffic could be started in May. Officials said that due to rain the works were now affected partially. The length of both the tunnels will be one kilometer. Krishnam Raju, director of Mumbai-based Prakrithi Engineering, told DC that there would be three interlinking tunnels connecting the twin tunnels at after each 250 meters of the tunnels.

The arch like frames called 'ribs' are at present erected in both the tunnels and 'shortcrete' - a mixture of cement, sand and small chips, was being pumped above and below the frame for re-inforcement, he added. After the tunnel works are complete, electrification of the tunnel will be done along with installation of exhaust ducts for proper air circulation, company officials said. A total of 4 lakh tonnes of rocks taken out of the tunnel will be used for the Highway works by the main contractor KMC.