PM inaugurates India's longest tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Nashri-Chenani tunnel the longest in India on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

Modi was accompanied by Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State for PMO and MP from Kathua-Udhampur constituency, Jitendra Singh.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti received and accompanied the Prime Minister to Udhampur, who is also scheduled to address a rally here.

Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar highway due to security concerns.

Kashmiri separatist leaders have reportedly called for a protest shutdown on Sunday against the Prime Minister's visit to the state.

Here are some salient features of the Nashri-Chenani tunnel, touted to be the longest in India:

-The Nashri-Chenani tunnel is 9.2 km long

-It is built at a cost of over 2,500 crore.

-Situated at an altitude of 1,200 metres, the tunnel, which is the longest tunnel in the country, has traffic and fire control systems, video surveillance, FM connectivity and transverse ventilation systems.

-The tunnel connects Udhampur with Ramban district by-passing 38 km including Patnitop and Kud stretches of the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

-In addition to saving nearly two hours of travel time, the passage of traffic through the tunnel will result in a daily saving of Rupees 27 lakhs in terms of fuel used by vehicles.