The First Underground Road Tunnel in India
Jawahar Tunnel, inaugurated in 1956, is India’s first underground road tunnel. Built under the Pir Panjal Range, it connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley.
🚇 SpotGenie Fact - India’s First Underground Road Tunnel
Did you know that India’s first underground road tunnel was opened way back in 1956?
It’s the Jawahar Tunnel, also known as the Banihal Tunnel, located on the Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH 44).
Cutting through the Pir Panjal mountains, this 2.85 km tunnel was a lifeline-connecting the rest of India with the Kashmir Valley throughout the year. Before this, heavy snowfall would cut off Kashmir during winters.
🏔️ Why It Matters
- At inauguration, it was Asia’s longest tunnel.
- Reduced travel time and made the route more reliable for trade, defense, and locals.
- Still an important route today, though newer tunnels (like Banihal Qazigund Tunnel, 2021) have taken over the heavy traffic.
- It has been guarded and maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) due to its strategic importance.
💡 SpotGenie Connect
Just as the Jawahar Tunnel quietly connects communities under mountains, SpotGenie connects vehicle owners in silence-via Smart QR Stickers that speak when you cannot.
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