Tunnels are really important for making travel easier, especially in places like mountains and cities where roads can be tough to build. In India, where there are all kinds of landscapes and cities growing fast, tunnels are super important for connecting different places and making travel smoother. India has some really amazing tunnels, from the big mountains of the Himalayas to busy cities. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 longest tunnels in India.
Longest Tunnels in India
The Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, also known as the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel, is the longest road tunnel in India, covering approximately 9 to 10 kilometers. Inaugurated in 2017
Shortest Tunnel in India
The Bhanwar Tonk Tunnel in Chhattisgarh holds the title of the shortest tunnel in India, measuring 1,024 meters.
Longest Railway Tunnel in India
The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, a remarkable engineering feat, is one of India’s longest railway tunnels, stretching approximately 11.21 kilometers.
Patalpani Rail Tunnel (49 km): Expected to open in 2025, it is set to become one of the world’s longest railway tunnels, linking Indore and Mumbai. The tunnel, stretching 49 kilometers, will not only facilitate transportation but also provide access to the scenic Patalpani waterfall.
Tunnel T-49 (12.7 km):A triumph in the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir, this railway tunnel on the Katra-Banihal section, spanning 45 kilometers, uses two tubes for safety and efficiency.
Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel (11.21 km): Nestled in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pir Panjal Mountain Range, it is a crucial part of the Jammu-Baramulla line, drastically reducing travel time and connecting Jammu Tawi or Udhampur to Banihal.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel (9.028 km): Also known as the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, it is the longest road tunnel in India, inaugurated in 2017. Covering 9 to 10 kilometers, it ensures all-weather connectivity, even during harsh winter weather.
Atal Tunnel (9.02 km):Connecting Manali to Keylong beneath the Rohtang Pass, it is a shining example of engineering genius, reducing travel time from 5 to 6 hours to just 15 minutes. Opened in 2022, it has become a tourist attraction.
Trivandrum Port Tunnel (9.02 km): Also known as the Varkala Tunnel, this historic structure in Kerala was built in 1867. Covering 1.06 kilometers, it created an inland waterway connecting Kollam and Trivandrum, facilitating goods and passenger transportation.
Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel (8.45 km): Opened in 2021, carved into the hills of Jammu and Kashmir, it is an essential part of NH 44, improving traffic conditions and reducing the distance between Srinagar and Jammu.
Sangaldan Railway Tunnel (7.1 km): One of India’s longest railway tunnels, opened in 2017, spanning about 8 kilometers between the railway stations of Katra and Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir.
Rapuru Tunnel (6.6 km): The longest electrified rail tunnel in India, situated in Andhra Pradesh, is a vital component of the Obulavaripalli – Venkatachalam Railway line, spanning 6.6 kilometers.
Karbude Tunnel (6.5 km): An important section of the Konkan Railway near Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, it covers 6.5 kilometers, greatly improving commuters’ travel since its opening in 2019.
Natuwadi Tunnel (4.8 km): The second-longest rail tunnel on the Konkan railway line in Maharashtra, completed in 1997, spans 4.8 kilometers, enhancing the Western Ghats’ natural beauty.
