Chhattisgarh’s First National Highway Tunnel Completed In Record 12 Months Under Raipur–Visakhapatnam Corridor

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has achieved a major milestone with the completion of Chhattisgarh’s first national highway tunnel as part of the Raipur–Visakhapatnam economic corridor.

The 2.79 km long tunnel, constructed in just 12 months, passes beneath the hills straddling Kanker and Kondagaon districts along the Odisha border.

Sharing the achievement on X, NHAI wrote, “NHAI achieves breakthrough of Chhattisgarh’s first National Highway tunnel (Left Hand Side) in just 12 months! #NHAI achieved a key milestone with the successful breakthrough of 2.79 km long Left Hand Side Twin-Tube National Highway Tunnel of Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor (NH-130CD).”

Excavation on the right-hand side tunnel is underway and expected to conclude by the end of this year.

According to NHAI, the left tunnel will be ready for traffic by March–April 2026, with the right tunnel scheduled to open by July–August 2026.

The six-lane NH-130CD corridor, spanning 464 km, is expected to transform connectivity across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh by reducing travel time between Raipur and Visakhapatnam. It is also set to strengthen trade and industrial links in the region.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the project as a turning point for the state’s development.

He said the tunnel symbolises a “historic step towards building a prosperous and empowered Chhattisgarh,” highlighting that enhanced road and transport infrastructure will not only boost economic growth but also unlock new tourism opportunities and strengthen socio-cultural integration.

Expressing gratitude to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and the NHAI team, Sai said the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.

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