India, Sept. 4 -- The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding the identification, evaluation, and selection of optimal tunnel alignments for National Highway (NH) projects.

Mandating a structured, data-driven approach for identifying optimal tunnel alignments-particularly for tunnels exceeding 1.5 kilometres in length-the SOP states that authorities must evaluate at least three alignment alternatives based on technical feasibility, environmental compatibility, social impact, and cost-effectiveness before proceeding with a particular alignment.

According to the SOP, the final recommended alignment option should be selected with justification, citing the least environmental...