Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (April 2) inaugurated the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, India's longest road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway stretching 9.28 km between the winter and summer capital of Jammu and Srinagar.

The 9-km long Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, built at the cost of Rs2,500 crore, was dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister here in presence of Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, reported PTI.

After the inauguration, Modi, along with Vohra and Mehbooba, travelled in an open jeep through the tunnel for some distance.

The Prime Minister, the Governor and the Chief Minister then posed for a photograph with the engineers who were involved in construction of the tunnel.
 
The tunnel, bypassing snow-bound upper reaches, will provide a safe, all- weather route to commuters travelling from Jammu and Udhampur to Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar.

The Chenani-Nashri tunnel, also known as the Patnitop tunnel - is expected to reduce travel time between the winter and summer capital (Jammu and Srinagar respectively) of Jammu and Kashmir by two hours, reducing the distance by around 30 km.

The estimated value of daily fuel savings will be to the tune of Rs27 lakh, according to the PMO.

The tunnel is equipped with world-class security systems, and is expected to boost tourism and economic activities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The 'super-smart' structure boasts several key features including a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35-metre carriageway, and a vertical clearance of 5 metres. There is also a parallel escape tunnel, with cross passages connecting to the main tunnel at intervals of 300 m.

It also has smart features such as an Integrated Traffic Control System; Surveillance, Ventilation and Broadcast Systems; Fire Fighting System; and SOS call-boxes at every 150 m.