Travelling by road along the Himalayas especially during the harsh winters can be hard. It used to be the case for National Highway 44, the only road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, that either gets shut down due to heavy snowfall or bogged down by extremely slow-moving traffic.
That’s all going to change now that the country’s longest highway tunnel will be inaugurated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on April 2, 2017. The Chenani- Nashri tunnel, which has been described as an “engineering marvel”, is set to significantly improve the commuting experience in the region.
Here are 10 facts about the tunnel that is sure to leave you dazzled:
Photo source: Twitter
1) The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is 9.28km long and it is bi-directional. It consists of a 9.3 metre carriageway as well as a 5 metre vertical clearance. The longest highway tunnel in the world, which is found in Norway, is 24.51km.
2) It cost ₹3,720 crore to build and is located at a height of 1,200 metres.
3) It will reportedly lead to the saving of ₹27 lakh every day due to reduced fuel consumption.
4) Built connecting Jammu and Kashmir, the tunnel will cut down the commuting time between the two regions by at least two and a half hours.
5) The tunnel boasts a total of 29 cross passages, which are present every 300 metres.
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6) The speed limit at the tunnel will be restricted to 50kmph and vehicles will only be allowed to use low beams.
7) The tunnel boasts a high-tech integrated tunnel control system. The system has video surveillance, ventilation, and FM signal repeater. It can also control communication.
8) The original distance by road between Chenani and Nashri was earlier 41km, it is now 10.9km
9) It is said to protect commuters from avalanches and landslides.
10) It has an SOS box and also comes fully equipped to deal with emergencies like fire.
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