Jawahar Tunnel set to be reopened in December
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has carried out extensive renovations of the 1956-built 2.5-km long twin-tube Jawahar Tunnel and the renovated tunnel will be opened for the public in December.
An official statement by the defence ministry said the upgrade was done 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.”
According to the officials, the rehabilitation was carried out through Engineering, Procurement and Construction mode at a cost of Rs 62.5 crore funded by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. “It has been completed in almost one year by Project Beacon of BRO,” the statement said.
Officials also said 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,” the statement said.
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, the statement said.
