Twin-tube Jawahar tunnel to open for public in December: BRO

Jammu, Nov 21: Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has stated that the 2.5 km-long twin-tube Jawahar tunnel after renovation will be opened for the public in December 2024.

The Jawahar tunnel has historically served as a vital passage through the Pir-Panjal range connecting Kashmir valley and Leh with the rest of India. It acts as an alternate route to NH-44.  Vehicles which are not allowed to cross the newly constructed Qazigund-Banihal tunnel such as oil tankers, explosive laden and gasoline vehicles, will use this tunnel.

Earlier, BRO carried out extensive renovations of the 1956-built Jawahar tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir.

According to BRO, the renovation and rehabilitation was carried out through Engineering, Procurement and Construction mode at a cost of Rs 62.5 Cr funded by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. It has been completed in almost one year by ‘Project Beacon’ of BRO.

Historic tunnel was upgraded to enhance the security, safety and comfort of the users using state-of-the art modern technology, thus bringing it at par with the modern tunnels.

The upgrade comprised civil as well as electro-mechanical works. It also includes 76 high-definition CCTV cameras, smoke and fire sensors, SCADA systems and a centralised monitoring room for real-time supervision.