Jammu, 16 August 2026 ; The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has operationalised a strategically important 2.79-km-long tunnel at Sungal in the Jammu region, opening a faster and safer route towards Poonch and strengthening connectivity near the Line of Control (LoC).
Carved through the Kalidhar Range, the two-lane tunnel bypasses a difficult and landslide-prone stretch of the existing Jammu–Poonch highway. It is expected to reduce the travel distance by around 12 km and cut journey time by nearly 45 minutes.
Traffic Opens in Phased Manner
The tunnel has initially been opened for light motor vehicles during daylight hours, with traffic currently permitted between 8 AM and 8 PM.
BRO officials said the facility will progressively be opened to heavy vehicles and round-the-clock traffic after detailed assessment of traffic movement and safety conditions.
Before opening, BRO carried out comprehensive checks of the tunnel’s critical systems, including:
- Ventilation systems
- Fire-fighting arrangements
- Emergency lighting
- Safety and emergency infrastructure
- Ingress and associated tunnel facilities
The main civil construction work was completed about a month ago, followed by testing and safety assessments.
₹600 Crore Project Strengthens Strategic Connectivity
Constructed at an estimated cost of ₹600 crore, the project was executed by BRO’s Project Sampark.
Work on the tunnel began in September 2021, with the major breakthrough achieved in May 2024.
Beyond its strategic significance for military logistics in the vicinity of the LoC, the tunnel is also expected to benefit civilians in Poonch, Rajouri and Nowshera, improving connectivity and supporting economic and social activity across the region.
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had inspected the tunnel last week ahead of its operationalisation.
Longest of Four Tunnels on the Route
The Sungal tunnel is the longest of four tunnels planned along this route.
The other major tunnel projects include:
- 260-metre Kandi Tunnel — already operational
- 700-metre Nowshera Tunnel — under construction
- 1.1-km Bhimber Gali Tunnel — under construction
The new tunnel marks another major infrastructure milestone for the Jammu–Poonch corridor, combining strategic mobility, improved civilian connectivity and greater all-weather resilience along a challenging mountainous route.
