On 13.07.2015 the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) achieved an important milestone with the breakthrough of the 9 km-long Patnitop tunnel between Chenani and Nashri in the State of Jammu & Kashmir on the 286 km-long four-lane Jammu–Srinagar National Highway. Work on the tunnel was started on 23.05.2011 using NATM techniques throughout. A parallel pedestrian escape tunnel will connect with the main tunnel through 29 cross-passages at 300 m intervals.

Patnitop tunnel will provide a safe, all-weather route that will result in a significant time saving to the commuters travelling along the National Highway between Jammu and Srinagar. The tunnel will also reduce distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 30 km.

The road is likely to be opened to traffic in July next year. Click here for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit http://pib.nic.in/. 29/15.