Calling it a giant leap for Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Modi today inaugurated the 10.9 km long Chenani-Nashri tunnel at J&K.

This tunnel, the longest in Asia, cost a whooping Rs. 3,270 Crore and will cut the travel time by 30km and approximately 2 hours for those commuting on road between Jammu and Srinagar.  This is also expected to save petrol worth Rs 30 Lakh per day.

After the inauguration, Modi took a tour of the tunnel and observed it facilities, in an open-roof jeep, with state CM Mehbooba Mufti.

Chenani-Nashri tunnel, built with new Austrian tunnel technology, has a series of smart safety features — all functioning through a single software.  Among the various tech features, the tunnel is India’s first with transverse ventilation system, enabled with ABB drives and is enabled with Accident Mitigation and actuation safety software, again by ABB.

The travel cost (one way) for a car, will cost Rs 55, for  Minibus Rs 90 and for heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks, it will cost Rs 190.