India's longest tunnel: 11 Kms of engineering marvel in Jammu & Kashmir

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): We've all likely experienced a thrilling tunnel journey at some point, whether by train or road. India boasts numerous tunnels, both large and small, that cut through the mountains, making travel easier. But do you know which is India's longest tunnel, where it's located, and how long it is? If you're unaware of this information, today we're going to tell you about a tunnel in the country that's a remarkable feat of engineering, located in the valleys of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel is the longest

The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir holds the title of India's longest tunnel. It is also known as the Banihal-Qazigund Railway Tunnel. Built in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, this tunnel is a significant achievement of the Indian Railways. Its length is approximately 11.21 kilometers. Due to its immense length, it is considered India's longest transportation tunnel. This tunnel connects Banihal in the Jammu region with Qazigund in the Kashmir Valley, making travel easy and all-weather.

Its name is also included in the top 5 tunnels of the country

If we look at the list of the five longest tunnels in the country, the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel (11.21 km) tops the list. Following closely behind is the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel (Chenani-Nashri) in Jammu and Kashmir, measuring approximately 9.028 km in length. At third place is the strategically important Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, measuring approximately 9.2 km in length. The Thiruvananthapuram Port Tunnel (approximately 9 km) is fourth on this list, and the Banihal-Qazigund Road Tunnel (8.45 km) is fifth. All these tunnels are hallmarks of the strength and modernity of India's infrastructure.