JAMMU — Union minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday announced that a proposal to construct a new two-lane tube tunnel parallel to the existing Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee tunnel on the Chenani-Nashri stretch, connecting Udhampur with Ramban district, has been approved.
Describing the development as “another good news for Udhampur,” Singh expressed gratitude to Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari for accepting the proposal and said it will ease the increasing traffic load on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
“Thanks to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari for accepting our request and proposing the construction of a new two-lane tube tunnel parallel to the existing Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel on the Chenani-Nashri route along NH-44 in Jammu and Kashmir. This will ease the increasing rush of traffic on this section and ensure ease of travel,” Singh said on X.
The Union minister recalled that the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee tunnel was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 2, 2017.
Formerly known as the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, the 9.28-km-long twin-tube all-weather tunnel is located on NH-44 and passes through the lower Himalayas at an altitude of about 1,200 metres.
It is regarded as India’s longest road tunnel and serves as a vital link on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, significantly reducing travel time and improving connectivity, officials said.
The tunnel was officially renamed in October 2019 in honour of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
Officials said the proposed parallel tunnel is expected to enhance traffic capacity, improve road safety and strengthen the resilience of the strategic highway connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. — (PTI)