In a country like India with a large population, having proper road connectivity across the country is very important for the overall economic growth. In this regard, many tunnels have been constructed over the last few decades in order to cut short the routes in many hilly areas. With infrastructure work picking up pace in India, many new tunnels are being constructed and advanced equipment has made it possible to construct lengthy tunnels within a short duration of time. Let us take a look at some of the longest road tunnels in our country.
Zojila Tunnel - 14.1 km
This tunnel is still under construction and it happens to be one of the longest tunnels in Asia. It connects Srinagar and Kargil. The length of the tunnel is 14.2 km and it will provide round the year connectivity in this region as snowfall and other hazards block the regular route for most part of the year.
Chenani Nashri Tunnel - 9.2 km
The Chenani Nashri Tunnel is one of the longest road tunnels of our country and it is being constructed in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. The length of the tunnel is 9.2 kms and it also happens to be one of the longest tunnels in Asia. The tunnel will have two-way traffic and it is located in the Shivalik mountain range of Himalayas.
Rohtang Tunnel - 8.8 km
The Rohtang Tunnel connects Manali and Keylong and it has reduced the distance between these two places by nearly 60 kms. The length of the tunnel is 8.8 km and it has two-lane traffic. It is situated on the Leh-Manali highway under Rohtang pass. The tunnel construction was a huge challenge as it was constructed at an elevation of nearly 4000 meters above the sea level.
Ghat Ki Guni Tunnel - 2.8 km
The Ghat ki Guni tunnel connects Agra and Rajasthan and it reduces the distance by some margin. The length of the tunnel is 2.8 km and it is situated on the Jaipur-Agra Highway. The safety measures inside the tunnel are very good and many people use this route on a regular basis.
Banihal Tunnel (Jawahar Tunnel ) - 2.5 km
The Banihal tunnel is yet another popular tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir region and it has a length of 2.5 kms. It connects the J&K valley with Srinagar highway. The tunnel is situated at an elevation of nearly 2000 meters above sea level and it has some world class features like temperature monitoring system, ventilation system, excellent lighting system, emergency exits and surveillance cameras.
Kamshet West Tunnel - 1.8 km
The Kamshet Tunnel which is 1.8 km long is one of the longest tunnels in Maharashtra that is situated on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. It has two tubes with three lanes and provided with excellent safety features and good lighting.
Bhatan Tunnel - 1 km
This tunnel also connects Mumbai and Pune and it is 1 km long. It is one of the first six lane tunnels in the country and travellers can reach Mumbai from Pune in two hours.