India’s longest tunnel: an 11-kilometre journey through darkness, know where this engineering marvel is located

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Most people have experienced the thrill of passing through tunnels during road or rail journeys. India has many small and large tunnels that cut through mountains to make travel easier. However, not many know which tunnel is the longest in the country, where it is located, and how long it actually is. India’s longest tunnel is a remarkable example of modern engineering and is located in the valleys of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pir Panjal railway tunnel is the longest

India’s longest tunnel is the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, also known as the Banihal–Qazigund Railway Tunnel. Built through the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, this tunnel is considered a major achievement of Indian Railways. Its total length is about 11.21 kilometres, making it the longest transport tunnel in the country.

The tunnel connects Banihal in the Jammu region with Qazigund in the Kashmir Valley. It has made travel between the two regions smoother and possible throughout the year, even during harsh weather conditions.

Other tunnels among the top five in India

In the list of India’s five longest tunnels, the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel ranks first with a length of 11.21 kilometres. The second position is held by the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel (Chenani–Nashri) in Jammu and Kashmir, which is about 9.028 kilometres long.

At third place is the strategically important Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, with a length of around 9.2 kilometres. The fourth spot is occupied by the Thiruvananthapuram Port Tunnel, which is nearly 9 kilometres long, while the fifth position goes to the Banihal–Qazigund road tunnel, measuring about 8.45 kilometres.

These tunnels reflect the strength, scale, and modern advancement of India’s infrastructure development.