Amid high alert and multi- tiered security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation India's longest road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday, making it operational for traffic.
The tunnel will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two hours. The distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 kms (between two ends of the tunnel), instead of the existing 41 kms.
Union Minister for road and transport Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said that it is for the first time that a Prime Minister was devoting India's longest tunnel to Jammu and Kashmir and the people of India.
"It is a historical event and this tunnel is the heart of the state. It will reduce the distance between Jammu and Kashmir. Every day, fuel worth Rs. 28 lakh will be saved. Also, it will save 2 hours. This will work as an engine in the development of Jammu and Kashmir. I hope that the people of the Valley will accept it. Hurriyat should also extend its support if something this big is happening in the state," said Gadkari.
Key Features of the tunnel:
⇒ 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 estimated 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.
⇒ The tunnel, built at the cost of Rs 2,500 crore in a record time of 5 and a half years by Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) Ltd, is located at an altitude of 1,200 metres (nearly 4,000 feet) in difficult Himalayan terrain.
(With agency inputs)
