6 Longest Tunnels in India, The Country is Proud of

India has undergone significant improvement in its Aviation and Maritime industrial sector. Yet travel enthusiasts often prefer to venture around by road or the railways. It is still a pleasure to travel in a cab, bus, or train exploring the vivid environment around. The journey between two places is many a time eased by long tunnels. The country takes pride in hosting some of the exotic tunnels, driving or passing through which is thrilling as well as intriguing. The scenic beauty adjacent to the tunnels is a treat to the eyes. The best part is many remote tourist spots are now well connected with the construction of the tunnels; portraying the brilliance of Indian engineers, designers, architects, and developers.

Without further ado, let us check out the 6 Longest Tunnels in India you would love to drive or pass through.

Pir Panjal Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir

Located at an elevation of about 5770 feet, the Pir Panjal tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in India. The establishment of the tunnel is the outcome of the relentless effort of India's talented and expert engineers, architects, and civil experts. The 11.2 km long railway tunnel was completed in 7 years, creating a remarkable example in India's history. The train takes almost 9 and half minutes to pass through the tunnel. The construction of the tunnel has attained high accolades due to its engineering brilliance. The natural beauty of the Pir Panjal mountain range coupled with the adventurous trip through the tunnel is a memorable experience to be cherished. The tunnel has conveniently established an efficient communication and transportation mechanism between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India. Truly one of the beautiful tunnels in India.

Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Road Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir

Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Road Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in India. It was inaugurated in the year 2017. The length of the tunnel is approximately 9.34 km, starting from Chenani and ending at Nashri. Located at a height of about 4000 feet above sea level, the tunnel is significant in reducing the traveling distance between Jammu and Srinagar, the capital city. The time taken for the travel is now less than 2 hours. The tunnel has two tubes running parallel to each other. Adjacent to the primary traffic tunnel, an additional safety tunnel is constructed. The diameter of the primary traffic tunnel has a diameter is approximately 13 meters, while that of the safety tunnel is  6 meters. No doubt one of the best tunnels in India.

Atal Road Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh

Atal Road Tunnel is the longest high-altitude tunnel in India. Initially, it was known by the name of Rohtang Tunnel. Later on, it was named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India. The construction of the tunnel started in the year 2010 and was inaugurated on October 3, 2020. The primary objective was to reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong. The tunnel is located just beneath the Rohtang Pass of Himachal Pradesh along the Leh – Manali Highway. It stretches for a length of about 8.8 km and is located at an altitude of about 3000 meters. It is an awesome experience to drive through the tunnel soaking into the beauty of the Pir Panjal Range. One of the tunnels in India, the country can boast of.

Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir

Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel is the newly constructed tunnel in the Jammu and Kashmir region. The construction of the tunnel started in 2011. On 4th August 2021, the tunnel was declared to be operational by Nitin Gadkari, the Union railway minister of India. The tunnel is situated at an altitude of about 1800 meters above sea level and its length is approximately 8.5 km. It has significantly reduced the distance between Banihal and Qazigund.  The tunnel has two tubes that run parallel to each other. It has resolved the problems of disruption of food transportation during the winters and landslides into the Banihal region. The tunnel is equipped with 124 jet fans, 234 CCTV modern cameras, an exhaust system, and a firefighting system.

Trivandrum Port Railway Tunnel in Kerala

Completed recently, the Trivandrum Port Railway Tunnel is the second-largest railway tunnel in India. The tunnel starts from Balaramapuram Station and ends at Vizhinjam. The track is part of the Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram railway line. The length of the tunnel is almost 9.02 km. The key purpose behind the construction of the tunnel is to link the Vizhinjam International Multipurpose Deepwater Seaport.  The seaport is also under construction. The year 2022 is expected to be signed with both the railway tunnel and the seaport nearing completion. 

Karbude Railway Tunnel in Maharashtra

Stretching across a length of about 6.5 km, the Karbude railway tunnel in Maharashtra is one of the longest in the Konkan railway line. Located at Ratnagiri, the tunnel connects the two railway stations of Ukshi and Bhoke. Situated in the midst of the mesmerizing Western Ghats in Maharashtra, the Karbude Railway Tunnel was constructed when the revered Konkan Railways decided to link the coastal cities of Mumbai and Mangalore. It holds the position of the longest railway tunnel that is located between the stations of Ukshi and Bhoke.

It's truly thrilling to whizz past the tunnels, an experience you must not miss out.