‘Authorities must own every stage of projects’: Road ministry issues tunnel safety guidelines
In response to recent tunnel collapses and a desire to improve safety and structural integrity, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued comprehensive guidelines for preventing and mitigating road tunnel collapses. The guidelines emphasize the need for authorities to take full responsibility for every stage of tunnel projects, from inception to completion. These guidelines were issued on Thursday, December 12, 2025.
The new guidelines address a trend where highway authorities often deflect blame for mishaps onto contractors and consultants. MoRTH's guidelines stipulate that project authorities must ensure optimal performance from all involved entities, including DPR (Detailed Project Report) consultants, contractors, authority engineers, and independent engineers, who all have distinct but vital roles. The guidelines stress that authorities must have ownership.
A key component of the new guidelines involves risk management. The project in-charge is now required to attend weekly risk management meetings with all key project stakeholders. A risk register must be maintained as a live document, regularly updated to ensure that top risks are discussed and mitigation measures are implemented effectively. Each identified risk must have a designated person responsible for its mitigation.
The guidelines also address the critical importance of thorough geological surveys. At the time of the alignment survey, geological maps and National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping published by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) must be consulted. Furthermore, the project in-charge will be responsible for ascertaining the correctness of the geological and geotechnical investigation conducted as part of the DPR, addressing concerns that many DPRs lack the necessary technical depth.
The ministry highlighted that all critical aspects of the contract – milestones, scheduling, provisions for variations, risk-sharing mechanisms, and force majeure – must be addressed unambiguously to minimize potential disputes during project execution. The guidelines also state that the tunnel shape should be evaluated not only for space requirements but also for structural stability. Effective management of groundwater is essential for the long-term stability of tunnels, necessitating appropriate measures for waterproofing and drainage in the design. In regions with seismic activity, tunnel design must account for potential stresses and strains induced by earthquakes.
The guidelines also address the role of construction agencies in emergency response. The agency engaged in tunnel construction should play a key supportive role during rescue operations led by specialized agencies such as the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), and DDMA (District Disaster Management Authority).
These guidelines follow several incidents of tunnel collapses in recent years, some of which resulted in workers being trapped or losing their lives. One notable incident was the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand on November 12, 2023, where 41 workers were trapped for 16 days before being rescued.
In addition to these guidelines, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has partnered with IIT Delhi to develop national guidelines for tunnel construction and operation, spanning pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases. These guidelines will include a database of tunneling experts and guidance notes for state administrators.
These measures collectively aim to establish a robust foundation for tunnel safety, ensuring better preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and faster response in case of disasters.
