Tunnels define the rich infrastructure of any country. Not only do tunnels make it extremely convenient to get around places, they also function as a major part of military strategic locations. Tunnels have proven to reduce travel time tenfold, slash down the on-road traffic population and make getting around easy and smooth. Tunnels are a crucial part of depicting the level of development in the country. India is also home to some of the most incredible collections of tunnels, big and small.
# Patalpani Rail TunnelIndia has one of the longest railway tunnels in the world. Set to open for function in 2025, the Patalpani Rail Tunnel is 49 kms long and located in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh. This rail cum Road Bridge is one of a kind structure allowing both trains as well as cars to seamlessly pass through. The Patalpani Railway Station is one of the local railway stations of Indore city consisting of 2 platforms. Patalpani has been connected to Indore and Khandwa by the system of Metre-Gauge Railway lines. This is also a very convenient way of accessing the famous tourist spot of Patalpani waterfall. Upon completion of this tunnel project, it would connect Indore with Mumbai.
# Tunnel T-49Situated on the Katra-Banihal section the T49 railway tunnel is a breakthrough development among the various tunnels of India. Successfully connecting the regions of sumber and Arpinchala stations, the T49 Tunnel situated 45 kms away from the district headquarters of Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir. Gracing the elevation of 1400 metres above sea level, the tunnel has been created using the international format of two tubes, the main tunnel and an escape tunnel. The escape tunnel feature is now being constructed parallel to the main tunnel and is connected via cross passages in order to facilitate the rescue operations in case of an emergency. Despite facing several challenges, the team of experienced workers have managed to pull off this major work seamlessly.
# Pir Panjal Railway TunnelSituated on an elevation of 1,760 metres above sea level, the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel or the Qazigund Railway Tunnel goes on for 11.2 kms. This 3rd longest railway tunnel line that is currently occupying space for being the longest railway tunnel in India is spread through the Pir Panjal Mountain Range of the middle Himalayan region in Jammu and Kashmir. It is also a part of the Jammu Baramulla line that has been operational since 2013. The train takes about 10 whole minutes to make its way through the tunnel and reduces travel time 35 kms by road to 17 km from Banihal to Baramulla. The present tunnel allows people to travel from Jammu Tawi or Udhampur to Banihal by road and take the train from Banihal to Srinagar through the railway tunnel.
# Syama Prasad Mookerjee TunnelAlso known as Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, this road tunnel is located in Jammu and Kashmir. Located in the lower Himalayas region on NH 44 the tunnel was opened for the use of the general public by 2017. It is famous for being the longest road tunnel in India that goes on for a length of about 9 to 10 kms. It has helped in majorly slashing the travel distance for everyone by 30 kms and the travel time to just 2 hours. This is an all-weather tunnel and passes through places like Patnitop, Kud and Batote that otherwise remains unserviceable during the peak winter or snow season. The tunnel is named after Syama Prasad Mookerjee who had served as a minister for a very long time and had also founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
# Atal TunnelNamed after our honorable former prime minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and located in the stunning hill state of Himachal Pradesh, Atal Tunnel is one of the most iconic engineering marvels in India. Built just under the Rohtang pass and spanning for a length of about 9 kms, the Atal Tunnel is located just on the Leh-Manali highway. Post completion of this all-weather tunnel, the tunnel reduces the overall travel distance from 5 to 6 hours to just 15 minutes. The tunnel connects the two famous hill cities of Manali and opens up at Keylong. It enables the cars and travelers to bypass avalanches, landslides, snowy situations and other such situations. Ever since its opening in 2022, the tunnel has offered a boost to tourism and comes as a blessing to the people on the remote areas around the tunnel.
# Trivandrum Port TunnelAlso known as Varkala Tunnel or Varkala Canal, the Trivandrum Port Tunnel is situated in the state of Kerala. Not only is this tunnel a historic piece of architecture, the tunnel is also famous for being a marvellously convenient structure. It was constructed by the Travancore kingdom in order to establish a continuous inland waterway across the Thiruvithamkoor as TS canal that was supposed to serve as a trading route. The construction of these 2 long tunnels was started during 1867 with the first one being completed in 1877 and the 2nd one in 1880. The tunnel is 1.06 km long and both the tunnels play a major role in the seamless ferrying of goods and people from Trivandrum to Kollam during the pre-independence era.
# Banihal Qazigund Road TunnelThis 8.45 km long road tunnel is located in the stunning hill state of Jammu and Kashmir. Placed in the lower Himalayan region and a part of NH 44, the tunnel has been successful in cutting down the travel time between Srinagar and Jammu by 16 kms. The tunnel is made up of 2 parallel tunnels one for each direction to travel through. It was opened for public usage in 2021 and ever since then it has played a pivotal role in improving the traffic conditions and making travels easier for everyone throughout the region. The tunnel has been constructed on a build operate and transfer basis and is completely functional with CCTV cameras, jet fans and proper ventilation throughout.
# Sangaldan Railway Tunnel After being opened for public communication and other related purposes in 2017, the Sangaldan Railway Tunnel is another one of the longest railway tunnels in India. Located in the sections of Katra and Banihal Railway Stations and having links with Jammu and Baramulla, the Sangaldan Railway Tunnel is about 8 kms long and covers places like Lahli, Baramulla, Banihal, Katra and many others. Situated in the middle Himalayan region of the stunning state of Jammu and Kashmir, the railway tunnel has been constructed by the Konkan Railway Corporation. Although the tunnel was faced with many challenges during its construction phases but it was very properly and smartly executed by the workers and engineers.
# Rapuru TunnelSituated in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, and panning out for a distance of 6.6 kms, the Rapuru Railway Tunnel is India’s longest electrified rail tunnel in India. The tunnel runs between the stations of Cherlopalli and Rapuru which is a part of the Obulavaripalli – Venkatachalam Railway line. This railway line is newly constructed and seamlessly connects Krishnapatnam port with the hinterland areas for proper freight movement. The entire railway line, including the tunnel connectivity, reduces travel time by 5 hours that used to take 10 hours initially. This is truly an engineering marvel that has been through several construction challenges. This is a horse show-shaped line that was also completed at a record time of just 43 months. The entire tunnel is lit with LED lights at a distance of every 10 metres.
# Karbude Tunnel
Before the construction of the Pir Panjal Railway Line, the Karbude Tunnel had occupied the place for being the longest rail tunnel in India. This tunnel is 6.5 kms long and is a part of the Konkan Railway route very close to Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Karbude also occupies the spot for being the Konkan line’s longest tunnel. Considered as an engineering marvel by many, this railway line and tunnel has been functional since 2019 and has served as a boon for the commuters. One can not only be travelling in the erstwhile longest railway tunnels in India, it is also known for being the longest rail tunnel on the Konkan Railway line situated in between Ikshi and Bhoke stations.
# Natuwadi TunnelThe 4.8 kms long Natuwadi Tunnel is located in the state of Maharashtra right next to Kashedi. The Natuwadi Tunnel occupies the place for being the 2nd longest rail tunnel on the Konkal railway line connecting the regions of Karanjadi and Diwan Khavati stations. The entire tunnel spans at a length of about 4.3 kms long and the construction was completed and opened for functioning in 1997. Being a part of one of the most stunning railway lines, Natuwadi Tunnel is a piece of natural beauty in itself. This is one of the most busy routes and junctions that receives a large influx of tourists looking to explore the immaculate beauty of the Western Ghats through a train ride on the Konkan railway line.