Shimla Bypass Tunnel Breakthrough: A Step Closer to Smoother Roads and Easier Lives

Shimla’s long-awaited bypass project has hit a major milestone this week as engineers successfully connected both ends of Tunnel Number 5. Stretching 210 metres, the tunnel links the bypass to its terminal point at Chalonthi and was completed in just seven months—a record pace for such construction.

For locals, this isn’t just about concrete and machinery. Once finished, the tunnel will mean less traffic chaos in Shimla, quicker access to the Atal Super Specialty Institute of Medical Sciences in Chamiyana, and easier travel for residents and tourists alike.

Built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM)—a modern technique known for its efficiency—the tunnel is part of the 27.4 km Shimla Bypass Project, which includes five tunnels in total. The bypass is designed to cut travel time to Dhalli by nearly an hour, easing congestion in the city’s narrow roads.

But the impact goes beyond smoother drives. Tourism is expected to get a boost, with visitors enjoying faster access to upper Shimla. For orchardists, especially during the busy apple season, the bypass will make transporting produce to markets far less stressful.

In short, Tunnel-5 isn’t just an engineering achievement—it’s a promise of better connectivity, stronger local economy, and a more breathable Shimla.