Located in Pir Panjal Range of Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, the Pir Panjal Tunnel - which is 11km long -is the longest railway tunnel of India. There is a three metre wide road along the length of the tunnel for the maintenance of railway tracks and emergency relief. It takes approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds for the train to cross the tunnel. This tunnel, is a stunning example of engineering genius, is situated in the middle of Himalayas.
The Karbude Tunnel remained India's longest rail tunnel till the Indian government gave green light to the Railways plan to construct Pir Panjal tunnel. This 6.5 km long tunnel is located on the Konkan Railway route near Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Situated between Ukshi and Bhoke station, Karbude tunnel is Konkan railway line's longest tunnel.
Natuwadi tunnel - situated between Karanjadi and Diwan Khavati station - is the second longest rail tunnel of Konkan Railway after Karbude tunnel. This tunnel is also located in Maharashtra in an area which falls under the Western Ghats. The length of this tunnel is 4.3km. It was constructed in 1997. The tunnel comes under the Zonal railway of Konkan. Konkan Railway is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful train routes in India as it covers a landscape which is full of natural beauty. The network of Konkan Railway stretches from Mangalore in Karnataka to Mumbai in Maharashtra through Goa,along the west coast of India and Western Ghats.
The Rohtang Tunnel is India's pride as it the highest road tunnel in the world and longest road tunnel in India. Situated under the Rohtang Pass of eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh, the tunnel covers a distance of 8.8 Km. This tunnel is different from many other tunnels in India as well as other parts of the world as it is two lane tunnel. It is situated at elevation of 3,978 meters above sea level. It reduces 46 km distance between Leh and Manali. Rohtang pass is the highest mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal range in middle of Himalayas.
Still under construction, the Chenani-Nashri tunnel is going to become the longest road tunnel in India after completion. The 9.2 km long road tunnel is situated in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. The other name of this splendid tunnel is Patnitop Tunnel. It is one of the longest tunnels in Asia. It will reduce the distance from Jammu to Srinagar and reduce traffic jams on NH-1A that occur due to snowfall and avalanche in winter at Patnitop. In addition to the main road tunnel, there will be a smaller parallel escape tunnel for emergency services and extraction of smoke and persons in case of fire and accident.
