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Koraput Road Tunnel: Odisha’s First 3-Lane Tunnel Opens

Discover Koraput’s first road tunnel-3.43 km, three lanes, easing travel and trading via Raipur-Vizag corridor under Bharatmala.

Pratik Kamble

17 Aug 2025 — 2 min read

Koraput Road Tunnel - Bharatmala Pariyojana

Koraput Road Tunnel: Odisha’s First Three-Lane Thruway Beneath Hills

SpotGenie Gyaan brings you inside Odisha's infrastructure breakthrough: a 3.43 km three-lane road tunnel under Bharatmala, transforming travel in the Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor.

Why This Tunnel Matters

Carved through the Sunki Ghat region of Koraput district, this is Odisha’s inaugural road tunnel and ranks among the country’s most modern. Embedded in the ₹16,000 crore Raipur–Visakhapatnam project, it’s part of a 6-lane expressway poised to bridge critical trade and mobility gaps. Travelers could soon go from Koraput to Visakhapatnam in under two hours—compared to over seven earlier—and reach Raipur in under four hours instead of ten.

Key Facts & Highlights

Historic Milestone: Odisha’s first road tunnel-3.43 km long and 16 m in diameter-has been completed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, connecting Baraja to Kandili in Koraput. It’s the state’s first three-lane tunnel.
Twin Tunnel Network: A second tunnel (2.87 km) from Kurli to Ampavalli is expected to be ready by December 2025.
Project Significance: These tunnels are part of the six-lane Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor valued at ₹16,000 crore. The corridor cuts Raipur-Visakhapatnam travel from 594 km to 464 km and journey time from 14 hours to six.
Regional Impact: Travel times will drop-Koraput to Visakhapatnam becomes less than two hours (instead of seven), and Koraput to Raipur under four hours (from ten).
Traveler Amenities: The corridor includes wayside amenities every 50 km-food courts, fuel stations, EV charging, vehicle repair, 24/7 medical centers, and clean restrooms-to elevate commuter convenience.

Infrastructure and Smart Design

This 3.43 km tunnel is three lanes wide and 16 meters across-Odisha’s widest. Featuring built-in ventilation, modern lighting, surveillance, footpaths, and signage, it’s built with commuter safety in mind. The Corrridor also includes world-class amenities every 50 km-makeovers that ease long-distance travel.

Tourism & Economic Growth Potential

The tunnel not only boosts vehicular mobility but can spur economic development across Koraput and Nabarangpur districts. Reduced travel time propels access to remote tribal areas, making tourism and trade easier. Locals predict industrial growth, improved markets, and larger investments.

Final Thought

Odisha's first road tunnel under Bharatmala is more than just a structure-it’s a catalyst for regional uplift, mobility speed, and safety. As the corridor nears full form by late 2025, this tunnel marks a strong leap into India’s future-ready transport matrix.