Mizoram to have country's first earthquake proof vehicular tunnels

Aizawl, Sep 10 (UNI) The Mizoram government has chalked out a blue-print to construct India's first underground earthquake-proof tunnels in this city.

Geological Survey of India has been entrusted with the task of preparing a detailed project report for construction of these tunnels, which would be used for regular vehicular movements in the capital city.

According to the project report, the construction of the 2.1 km main tunnel is expected to begin late this year and will cost Rs 100 crore.

''Preliminary surveys, feasibilty studies and geotechnical specifications for tunneling the city has already been conducted by a six-member Geoglists' team, Deputy Director General of Geological Survey of India (GSI) A K Bhandari told UNI today.

The final proposals have been submitted to Chief Minister Zoramthanga and the project would be evaluated by experts from different fields, he added.

The project would cost around Rs 100 crore, he said adding that the total construction will be complete in 30 months.

With the region being earthquake and landslide prone, all sorts of protective measures have been taken, he said.

Additional Director of the Mining department Lallenmawia added that the north-south ridge, where the capital city is situated, would be ideal for underground roadways as the topography provides natural cover for tunneling.

Mr Mawia further explained that the underground tunnels in most of the countries were located at a shallow depth of ten to 15 meters. But in case of Aizawl, the underground tunnels would have an average depth of 40 meters to 112 meters from the ground surface.

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