Adding some of the massive road tunnels recently opened/ under construction/ proposed in the Himalayas.
Of late some truly epic road tunnels have opened up in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. Some even bigger ones are under construction in Ladakh, Kashmir and Uttarakhand too. If we go by The length and width of these tunnels most of them are not Impressive. However taking the terrain and altitude into consideration, only then will we grasp the sheer engineering involved. Fun Fact – Some of these road tunnels will break multiple world records upon opening in the next 3 to 5 years.
I have only taking into consideration those tunnels that have opened recently or will certainty open in the next five years. Please do note there are even more spectacular rail tunnels although note adding them here. Waiting to do a drive on these spectacular routes soon!
1. Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel
Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel/ Chenani-Nashri Tunnel is a road tunnel in Jammu. It is located in the Lower Himalayas on National Highway 44. Construction started in 2011 and was completed by 2017. It is India's longest road tunnel and the country's first tunnel with a fully integrated tunnel control system. It reduces the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 30 km and travel time by 2 hours. The all-weather tunnel bypasses snowfall and avalanche prone areas in winter at places like Patnitop, Kud, and Batote that obstruct NH 44 every winter and cause long traffic jams.
Completion – 2017
Length - 9.28 km (5.8 mi)
Cost - ₹3,720 crore
2. Atal Tunnel
Atal Tunnel/ Rohtang Tunnel is built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh. At a length of 9.02 km, it is the longest tunnel above 10,000 feet (3,048 m) in the world and named after former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. With the Atal Tunnel and after completion of the under-construction Shingo La Tunnel, both the Leh-Manali Highway and the Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road routes will become all-weather roads.
Completion - October 2020
Length - 9.02 km (5.60 mi)
Cost - ₹3,200 crore
3. Banihal – Qazikund Tunnel
Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel is a road tunnel at elevation of 1,790 m (5,870 ft) in the Pir Panjal range in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir connecting Banihal and Qazigund. The tunnel will reduce the distance between Srinagar and Jammu by 16 km. It is a double tube tunnel consisting of parallel tunnels - one for each direction of travel. Each tunnel is 7 m (23 ft) wide and has two lanes of road. The 2 tunnels are interconnected by a passage every 500 m (1,600 ft) for maintenance and emergency evacuation. The tunnel will have forced ventilation for extracting smoke and stale air and infusing fresh air. This Tunnel is almost ready, could be made operations in few weeks possibly Independence day.
Completion – June 2021
Length - 8.5 km (5.3 mi)
Cost – ₹2,100 cr
Trial run
4. Zoji La Tunnel
Zoji La Tunnel is a 14.2 km long road tunnel under the Zoji La pass between Sonmarg and Drass towns in Kargil district in Ladakh, currently under construction. The tunnel along with the Z-Morh Tunnel which is 22 km before Zoji La tunnel towards Srinagar will ensure year-long road connectivity between Srinagar and Kargil which currently remains closed for 7 months due to heavy snowfall on the Zoji La pass. Zoji La provides a vital link with Drass and Kargil in Ladakh but remains closed for 6-7 months (from November to May) during winter due to heavy snow fall & snow avalanches. It takes more than 3 hours to cross the pass but the tunnel will reduce the time. This tunnel was a strategic requirement of the army and the Ladakhi people as the pass is close to LOC and vulnerable to hostile actions.
Completion – 2024/25
Length – 14.2km (9 mi)
Cost - ₹6,800cr (might escalate upto 9,800cr)
5. Z – Morh Tunnel
The Z-Morh Tunnel is an under-construction 6.5 km road tunnel near Gagangir in the Ganderbal District of Kashmir. It is named for the Z-shaped stretch of road between Sonamarg and Gagangir that the tunnel will replace. It has great strategic importance for India as it will provide reliable, year-long access to the disputed borders with Pakistan. The tunnel will increase social and economic development throughout the region and boost tourism in Sonamarg, which boasts attractions including the Thajiwas Glacier and activities such as whitewater rafting on the Sind River.
Bhpian @ruzbehxyz has a thread on this project
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/stree...ml#post5087639
Completion – 2022
Length - 6.5km (4 mi)
Cost - ₹2,378 crore
Summer view of a portal
Winter view of a portal
6. Shinku La Tunnel
In August 2020 after the Issue with China, the government had approved a DPR for constructing a 13.5 km (8.4 mi) tunnel. National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited has expedited the detailed project report (DPR) work on the Shinkun La Tunnel. However, a new shorter 4.25 km long alignment has been approved and tunnel is expected to be completed by 2024 instead of the 2027 completion of the original alignment. It is understood that the total cost of the BRO tunnel construction will be around ₹1,000 crore due to a simpler design and requirement of basic electromechanical fittings. The 4.25km tunnel will have longitudinal ventilation using banana fans, which require minimum electricity and operational costs.
Completion – 2024
Length – 4.25km (2.6 mi)
Cost - ₹1,050 crore
7. Chattergala Tunnel
Chattergala Tunnel is a proposed road tunnel in Jammu. The tunnel will connect Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu via basohli-bani through Chattergala. After completion of this tunnel, the travel time from Lakhanpur to Doda would be reduced to 4 hours.
Completion – 2025
Length – 6.8 km (4.25 mi)
Cost – ₹3,000cr
8. Vailoo La Tunnel
While initiating the blasting for Zojila Tunnel, Shri Nitin Gadkari said the DPRs of the Singpora-Vailoo tunnel on Kishtwar-Anantnag road have been prepared.
Completion – 2026/27
Length – 10.4 km (6.5 mi)
Cost – not yet ascertained
9. La Chung La
The 14.78 km tunnel under Lachung Pass. The last tunnel on the highway has been planned under the 16,666-ft Lachung Pass on the boundary of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. This Tunnel will be Located 25km from Sarchu.
Completion – 2026/27
Length – 14.78 km (9.25 mi)
Cost – not yet ascertained
10. Baralacha La Tunnel
The defence ministry has proposed a 13.2 km tunnel beneath the Baralacha Pass in the Zanskar range. At present, crossing it on the 470-km highway connecting Manali and Leh is a nightmare for travellers.
Completion – 2026/27
Length – 13.2 km (6.5 mi)
Cost – not yet ascertained
11. Tanglang La Tunnel
The tunnel planned under Tanglang La Pass.Not much has been revealed yet.
Completion – 2026/27
Length - 7.32km
Cost – Not yet ascertained
12. Pir ki gali Tunnel
In 2019, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) had hired a Spanish Consultancy firm along with an Indian private consultant company to prepare a DPR for the construction of a tunnel on Mughal road. Mughal road connects the districts of Poonch and Rajouri with the valley of Kashmir and reduces the distance between Shopian and Poonch from 588 km to 126 km. It is a historical route which was made functional for vehicular movement in 2009. It is about 84 km from Bufliaz (Poonch) to Hirpora (Shopian). This route is known for its lush meadows, gushing waterfalls, tossing and lurching trees and chirping birds, all Ideal for Tourism. It is an early stage proposal and no details about its length or cost is ascertained yet. I personally think this tunnel would only be completed after 2030.
There also two tunnels of 8 km long each on Sudhmahadev-Goha-Khelani stretch and a 2.4 km tunnel at Khelani bypass in J&K have been prepared.
(1) Sudttmatiadev- Dranga LENGTH - 4.5 KM AND ITS DPR attached below
http://forestsclearance.nic.in/write...icalReport.pdf
At least 2 more tunnels >10km are in early stages of planning that are still undisclosed by the Govt/BRO.