The much-awaited Sungal Tunnel on the Jammu-Poonch road was inaugurated by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Saturday, marking a significant development for road connectivity towards Rajouri, Poonch, Nowshera and nearby areas. Scroll down to know more.
Sungal Tunnel Open For Light Vehicles
According to a report by Greater Kashmir, built through the Kalidhar Range, the 2.79-km-long tunnel bypasses a difficult stretch of the existing road and is expected to cut the travel distance by around 11 to 13 km, while also cutting down travel time for commuters. The opening comes as work on the widening and upgradation of the Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch road continues.
The tunnel has been designed and built at an estimated cost of around ₹600 crore. Although it has now been opened to the public, some construction and finishing work is still in progress. For now, only light vehicles are permitted inside the Sungal tunnel. Buses, heavy vehicles and goods carriers have not yet been allowed to use the facility. Their movement is expected to be permitted in the coming months once the remaining work is completed.
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The tunnel will remain open to light vehicles between 8 AM and 8 PM. All vehicular movement will be stopped after 8 PM.
The Sungal Tunnel Is Open Ahead Of Its Date
The tunnel had attracted considerable attention from residents, who had been demanding its early opening. If reports are to be believed, the BRO had earlier indicated that the facility would be opened on August 22. However, it was opened earlier as an Independence Day gift, providing relief to travellers travelling through the region.
The newly opened Sungal Tunnel, along with the Kandi Tunnel, which is already operational a few kilometres away, is expected to improve connectivity towards the Pir Panjal region.
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Residents have welcomed the development, saying the new tunnel will make travel safer, faster and more convenient while providing an important alternative to the difficult stretches of the existing route.
Good news for Jammu-Kashmir people.
Cover Image Courtesy: Facebook/Pri Pranjal Talkies
FAQs
How long is the Sungal tunnel?
The Sungal Tunnel is 2.79 kilometres (2,790 meters) long.
Which is the longest tunnel of J&K?
The longest road tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir is the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel (also known as the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel), measuring 9.28 kilometers on National Highway 44.
Which is Asia's largest tunnel and is 6.5 km long?
The 6.5 km tunnel you are referring to is the Z-Morh Tunnel (also called the Sonmarg Tunnel) in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
