Modi inaugurates India's longest Chenani-Nashri tunnel

The 9-km long 'Chenani–Nashri Tunnel' will reduce the distance by 31 kms, bypassing snow-bound upper reaches.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's longest tunnel Chenani-Nashri, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Udhampur amid high security on Sunday. Chenani-Nashri tunnel, will bypass three major stations - Kud, Patnitop and Batote - on the highway.

The tunnel is expected to reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Jammu by two hours and reduce the distance from 41 km to 10.89 km.

The cost of the tunnel built is Rs 2500 crore. The time taken to build this tunnel is 5 and a half years. And the daily fuel savings are to the tune of Rs. 27 lakhs.

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.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a statewide shutdown on April 2. However, people in the Kashmir Valley are hardly enthusiastic about the opening of the longest road tunnel.

The key features of the tunnel are that 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.

OneIndia News