Indore-Ichhapur highway: Three state-of-the-art tunnels by Dec-end to get rid of dangerous ghat sections on Indore-Khandwa roads

Indore: Narrow lanes and dangerous sharp turns on the accident-prone ghat sections between Indore and Khandwa roads will soon be a history as the critical Indore-Ichhapur highway project would be completed by Dec-end. Three state-of the-art tunnels are constructed on the route to ensure seamless traffic flow even during heavy rainfall and thick fog.A pivotal part of Indore-Ichhapur highway project, which will provide direct connectivity from Indore to Hyderabad via Jalgaon, is the 33.40 km four-lane stretch between Tejaji Nagar in Indore and Balwada in Khandwa. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI ) is employing modern electronic blasting and the new Austrian tunnelling method (NATM) to develop the three tunnels on the route. NHAI, Bhopal, regional officer Shravan Kumar Singh highlighted that Indore and Khandwa are the ‘backbone' of the state's industrial and transport systems. Indore serves as commercial capital, while Khandwa acts as a vital rail and road gateway to southern India. "A safe, smooth and modern road link between these cities was not just a convenience — it was a necessity for the state's economic continuity and public safety," Singh noted.Earlier, the two-lane route suffered from extreme congestion and frequent accidents in the ghat sections. The new four-lane infrastructure is designed to reduce travel time from Tejaji Nagar to Balwada to just 30–35 minutes, while the 18-metre-wide road and tunnels will allow vehicles to maintain a steady speed of 80–90 km per hour, bypassing steep slopes. "The highway serves as a vital link in the Indore-Hyderabad Corridor, facilitating the seamless movement of agricultural and industrial goods," Singh said.As the project nears its final phase, NHAI officials are conducting regular inspections to ensure that the electronic blasting and automatic lining of the tunnels meet global safety standards. For the residents of Indore and Khandwa, the Dec deadline will mark the end of a decades long struggle with one of the region's most challenging roads.