A feasibility study is being done, with an airborne electro-magnet (AEM) from Europe, to construct a road tunnel from Thimphu to Wangdue Phodrang.
The odd looking apparatus will be used to scan the proposed tunnel route. It is attached with various gadgets that will scan the area. A chopper will airlift the airborne electro-magnet and make ten runs along the proposed tunnel area. The tunnel will start at Yoesapang in Thimphu and end at Nabisa at Wangdue Phodrang.
A team from the Norwegian Geotechnical institute and SkyTem from Denmark will be doing the survey.
The AEM will help reduce cost and also tunnelling risk. It can scan up to 700 meters into the earth, but, because of Bhutan’s topography and vegetation, it is expected to be able to scan about 200 metres deep.
The Department of Geology and Mines will be conducting drilling in the area early next year for extensive studies. It is being done to bring out a cost estimate. The building of the road tunnel depends largely on the results of the study.
