India’s Longest Road Tunnel with 9 Kilometer Length to be Inaugurated on April 2

New Delhi: India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will inaugurate country’s longest 9 kilometre road tunnel named as ‘Chenani – Nashri Tunnel’ on April 2, 2017.  The tunnel on NH-44 connecting Jammu with Srinagar reduces travel time between the two cities by up to two hours. It achieves a reduction of distance upto 31 kilometres, bypassing snow-bound upper reaches. The estimated daily fuel savings is to the tune of Rs 27 lakhs.

Besides avoiding large scale deforestation and tree-cutting, the tunnel will provide a safe, all-weather route to commuters travelling from Jammu and Udhampur to Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar. The tunnel is equipped with world-class security systems, and is expected to boost tourism and economic activities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Key features of the tunnel are…
–It is a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35 metre carriageway, and a vertical clearance of 5 metres.  
–There is also a parallel escape tunnel, with “Cross Passages” connecting to the main tunnel at intervals of 300 metres.

–It also has smart features such as an Integrated Traffic Control System; Surveillance, Ventilation and Broadcast Systems; Fire Fighting System; and SOS call-boxes at every 150 metres.  

–The project has been completed at a cost of over Rs. 2500 crore.