SRINAGAR: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has operationalised the much-awaited 2.79-km Sungal Tunnel on the Jammu-Poonch road, providing a safer and faster link towards Rajouri, Poonch, Nowshera and other areas of the Pir Panjal region.
Constructed through the Kalidhar Range at an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore, the two-lane tunnel bypasses a difficult and landslide- and accident-prone stretch of the Jammu-Poonch highway. It is expected to reduce the travel distance by around 11 to 13 kilometres and cut journey time by about 45 minutes.
The tunnel has initially been opened to light motor vehicles between 8 am and 8 pm. The BRO said movement of heavy vehicles and round-the-clock traffic would be permitted progressively after analysing traffic movement and completing assessments of safety and operational systems.
The main civil works were completed about a month ago, after which the BRO reviewed key functional and safety mechanisms, including ventilation, fire-fighting systems, emergency lighting and the ingress tunnel. Some construction and finishing work is still underway.
The Sungal Tunnel had earlier been opened on a phased basis for ambulances and other essential services. Its opening to the general public came earlier than the August 22 date indicated by the BRO, providing an early boost to connectivity in the region.
The tunnel forms part of the widening and upgradation of National Highway-144A, also known as the Golden Arc Road. By bypassing the difficult Kalidhar-Chowki Choura section, it is expected to provide a safer and more reliable all-weather connection to the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
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🇮🇳 A New Passage Through the Kalidhar Range!
On #IndependenceDay2026, the 2,790-metre-long Sungal Tunnel, constructed by BRO, was opened to traffic—marking a significant milestone in strengthening strategic… pic.twitter.com/2USyANkPGH
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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inspected the tunnel during a visit earlier this month and reviewed the progress of the project. Officials had then indicated that the remaining works were in their final stages and that the tunnel would soon be opened to general traffic.
Besides improving civilian connectivity, the tunnel has strategic importance because of its proximity to the Line of Control and is expected to facilitate military logistics. Better connectivity is also expected to support economic activity in Poonch, Rajouri and Nowshera.
The project was executed by the BRO’s Project Sampark. Work on the tunnel began in September 2021 and the breakthrough was achieved in May 2024.
The Sungal Tunnel is the longest of four tunnels planned on this route. The 260-metre Kandi Tunnel is already operational, while the 700-metre Nowshera Tunnel and 1.1-km Bhimber Gali Tunnel are under construction.
With the Sungal Tunnel now operational, commuters on the Jammu-Poonch route can bypass one of its most difficult stretches, substantially improving the safety and efficiency of travel towards the Pir Panjal and border areas.
