Narendra Modi dedicates Chenani-Nashri Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir to Nation, but credit goes to Congress

NEW DELHI (INDIA): The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today dedicated India?s longest road tunnel, the 9 kilometre long Chenani-Nashri Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, to the nation.nnBut India’s longest road tunnel work was started in 2011 under Indian National Congress-led Dr. Manmohan Singh government and it is part of 60 years rule of Congress in India and we also have give credit to them like Congress President Sonia Gandhi and then Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister.nnThe Prime Minister Modi travelled the entire length of the tunnel, and was briefed on some of its key features.nnAddressing a public meeting in Udhampur, the Prime Minister said that the tunnel is world-class, and matches the best standards. He said the tunnel is environment-friendly and will help in the fight against global warming.nnHe said that while some misguided youngsters were pelting stones, the youth of Kashmir were cutting stones to create infrastructure. He said the tunnel would also boost tourism, which will bring economic growth.nnThe Prime Minister said that violence and terrorism can never help anyone. He thanked the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, and said that work had begun on the package that the Union Government had announced for the State.nnRecalling the vision and work of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister said that the Union Government’s sole mantra is development, and this could be achieved through people?s participation.nnChenani-Nashri TunnelnnChenani-Nashri Tunnel, also known as Patnitop Tunnel, is a road tunnel in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on NH 44 (former name NH 1A before renumbering of all national highways). The work was started in 2011 and has been inaugurated on 2 April 2017.nnIt is India’s longest road tunnel with a length of 9.28 km (5.8 mi).The original estimate to build the tunnel was ?2,520 crore (US$370 million), but escalated to a total of Rs 3,720 crore (US$550 million).The main tunnel is 13 metres in diametre, while the parallel escape tunnel is 6 metres diameter. The main and escape tunnels are connected by 29 cross passages at intervals of every 300 metres.[3]The tunnel is equipped with SOS boxes.It is the first tunnel in the country with fully integrated tunnel system.nnThe tunnel will reduce the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 30.11 km (18.7 mi) and cut travel time by two hours. Snowfall and avalanches in winter at Patnitop obstructs NH 44 a few times every winter and causes long queues of vehicles – sometimes for days at length. The tunnel will bypass Patnitop, Kud, and Batote and will reduce traffic jams on NH 44 in winter.