JAMMU: The much-awaited Sungal Tunnel on the Jammu–Poonch road was opened to public traffic on Saturday by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), providing a major boost to connectivity for commuters travelling towards Rajouri, Poonch, Nowshera and adjoining areas.
Constructed through the Kalidhar Range, the approximately 2.79-km-long tunnel will bypass a difficult stretch of the existing road and is expected to reduce the travel distance by around 11 to 13 kilometres, besides significantly cutting journey time.
The tunnel has been constructed at an estimated cost of about Rs 600 crore as part of the ongoing widening and upgradation of the Akhnoor–Rajouri–Poonch road.
While the tunnel has been opened for public movement, some construction and finishing works are still in progress. For the time being, only light motor vehicles have been permitted to use the tunnel.
Heavy vehicles, including buses and goods carriers, will continue to use the existing route until the remaining works are completed. Sources said movement of heavy vehicles could be allowed in the coming months after completion of the pending works and necessary safety clearances.
The tunnel will remain open for light vehicles from 8 am to 8 pm. Vehicular movement through the tunnel will remain suspended after 8 pm.
The project had remained in focus for several months, with local residents and commuters repeatedly demanding its early opening. The BRO had earlier indicated that the tunnel would be opened to the public on August 22, but its opening on Independence Day came as an early relief for travellers in the region.
The Sungal Tunnel, along with the already operational Kandi Tunnel located a few kilometres away, is expected to substantially improve road connectivity between Jammu and the Pir Panjal region.
Once the entire road upgradation project is completed, travelling towards Rajouri and Poonch is expected to become safer, faster and more convenient, particularly by avoiding several difficult and accident-prone stretches.
Local residents have welcomed the opening of the tunnel, describing it as an important infrastructure milestone that will improve mobility and strengthen connectivity with the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
