{"id":45443,"date":"2023-12-18T12:04:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T06:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/?post_type=general-knowledge&p=45443"},"modified":"2025-07-28T10:47:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T05:17:59","slug":"longest-tunnel-in-india","status":"publish","type":"general-knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/general-knowledge\/longest-tunnel-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Journey Through the Longest Tunnel in India \u2013 A Modern Wonder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

India’s Longest Tunnels: Enhancing Connectivity and Infrastructure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

India has a long tunnel construction history, which is crucial in transportation, irrigation, and defense. The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir is the longest in India, stretching 11.215 km. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the 6.5 km Z-Morh Tunnel, ensuring all-weather connectivity to Sonmarg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"longest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other major tunnels include the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet, and the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, a key route in Jammu and Kashmir. These tunnels are vital for improving connectivity and boosting economic development across India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Longest Tunnel in India: Railway Tunnel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel \u2013 India’s Longest Railway Tunnel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Pir Panjal Tunnel, also known as the Banihal Tunnel, is India\u2019s longest railway tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir. Stretching 11.21 km, it connects Banihal (Jammu region) to Qazigund (Kashmir region). Since its opening in 2013, it has significantly improved connectivity and reduced travel time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"longest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Key Features:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Length:<\/strong> 11.21 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Diameter:<\/strong> 8.4 meters (single tube)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Elevation:<\/strong> 1,800 meters above sea level<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Time Saved:<\/strong> Reduces Banihal\u2013Qazigund travel time by 50 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Fuel Savings:<\/strong> Saves approximately \u20b910 lakh per day in fuel consumption<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Tunnel Type:<\/strong> Single-track railway tunnel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Travel Time:<\/strong> Takes around 9 minutes to pass through<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    This tunnel plays a crucial role in boosting regional transportation and connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Longest Tunnel in India: Road Tunnel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel \u2013 India\u2019s Longest Road Tunnel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel, also known as the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, is India\u2019s longest road tunnel, stretching approximately 9 to 10 km. It was inaugurated in 2017 and is vital in maintaining connectivity, especially during harsh winters. The tunnel features parallel tubes for traffic and safety, making travel safer and more efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Key Features:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Length:<\/strong> 9 to 10 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Location:<\/strong> Jammu and Kashmir<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Inaugurated:<\/strong> 2017<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Structure:<\/strong> Two parallel tubes (traffic tunnel & safety tunnel)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Diameter:<\/strong>\n
        \n
      • Traffic tunnel:<\/strong> 13 meters<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Safety tunnel:<\/strong> 6 meters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Elevation:<\/strong> 4,000 feet above sea level<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Distance Reduction:<\/strong> Cuts Jammu\u2013Srinagar travel distance from 41 km to 9 km<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        This tunnel significantly improves road connectivity and reduces travel time in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        India’s First Tunnel: The Historic Parsik Tunnel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        The Parsik Tunnel, India’s first railway tunnel, was built in 1873 to enhance railway connectivity between Mumbai and Thane during British rule. This 1.3 km-long tunnel was a significant engineering feat of its time and was crucial in improving trade and transportation. Even with modern advancements, it remains a historic symbol of India’s early infrastructure development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Key Highlights of the Parsik Tunnel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • Location:<\/strong> Maharashtra<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Year of Construction:<\/strong> 1873<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Purpose:<\/strong> Built for the Great Indian Peninsula Railway<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Length:<\/strong> 1.3 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Significance:<\/strong>\n
            \n
          • Improved connectivity between Mumbai and Thane.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Boosted trade and transportation in the region.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • The beginning of railway tunnel construction in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Still stands as a historic engineering marvel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Keylong: India\u2019s First Railway Station Inside a Tunnel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            The Keylong Railway Station, currently under construction, will be India\u2019s first railway station inside a tunnel. It is part of the ambitious Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line, a high-altitude project designed to improve connectivity in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Situated at 3,000 meters, the station will be housed within a 27-kilometer-long tunnel, making it a remarkable engineering achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Key Features:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • First underground railway station in India<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Location:<\/strong> Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Altitude:<\/strong> 3,000 meters above sea level<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Tunnel Length:<\/strong> 27 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Distance from Manali:<\/strong> 26 km north<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Distance from Indo-Tibetan Border:<\/strong> 120 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Strategic Importance:<\/strong> Enhances transport of goods and personnel to the Sino-India border<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Benefits:<\/strong>\n
                \n
              • Boosts connectivity in remote high-altitude areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Supports tourism and economic growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Strengthens India’s railway infrastructure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                Once completed, the Keylong Railway Station will be a major milestone in Indian railway history, improving accessibility in challenging terrains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                List of Top 10 Longest Tunnels in India<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                India, with its diverse geographical features, has some of the longest tunnels in India. These engineering marvels facilitate transportation and stand as a t<\/strong>estament to the country\u2019s infrastructural development.<\/strong> <\/a>Here are the top 10 longest tunnels in India:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Rank<\/strong><\/td>Tunnel Name<\/strong><\/td>Length (km)<\/strong><\/td>Location<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
                1<\/strong><\/td>Patalpani Rail Tunnel<\/td>49<\/td>Madhya Pradesh<\/td><\/tr>
                2<\/strong><\/td>Tunnel T-49<\/td>12.7<\/td>Jammu and Kashmir<\/td><\/tr>
                3<\/strong><\/td>Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel<\/td>11.22<\/td>Jammu and Kashmir<\/td><\/tr>
                4<\/strong><\/td>Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel<\/td>9.028<\/td>Jammu and Kashmir<\/td><\/tr>
                5<\/strong><\/td>Atal Tunnel<\/td>9.02<\/td>Himachal Pradesh<\/td><\/tr>
                6<\/strong><\/td>Trivandrum Port Tunnel<\/td>9.02<\/td>Kerala<\/td><\/tr>
                7<\/strong><\/td>Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel<\/td>8.45<\/td>Jammu and Kashmir<\/td><\/tr>
                8<\/strong><\/td>Sangaldan Railway Tunnel<\/td>7.2<\/td>Jammu and Kashmir<\/td><\/tr>
                9<\/strong><\/td>Rapuru Railway Tunnel<\/td>6.6<\/td>Andhra Pradesh<\/td><\/tr>
                10<\/strong><\/td>Karbude Railway Tunnel<\/td>6.5<\/td>Maharashtra<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                Longest Tunnels in India \u2013 A Glimpse into Engineering Marvels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                India, home to several long and strategically significant tunnels, enhances connectivity across rugged terrains. These tunnels are essential links for road and railway networks, improving transportation and reducing travel time. Below is a list of India’s top 10 longest tunnels, categorized by significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                1. Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel (Banihal-Qazigund Railway Tunnel)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                • Length:<\/strong> 11.21 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Location:<\/strong> Jammu and Kashmir<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Completed:<\/strong> 2013<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Significance:<\/strong> The longest railway tunnel in India provides all-weather rail connectivity to the Kashmir Valley.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Key Features:<\/strong>\n
                    \n
                  • Reduces travel time between Banihal and Qazigund by 50 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Saves Rs 10 lakh per day in fuel costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    2. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel (Chenani-Nashri Tunnel)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    • Length:<\/strong> 9.2 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Location:<\/strong> Jammu and Kashmir<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Opened:<\/strong> 2017<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Significance:<\/strong> Longest road tunnel in India, reducing travel distance between Jammu and Srinagar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Key Features:<\/strong>\n