J&K: PM Modi inaugurates Chenani-Nashri tunnel
The new 10.8 kilometre Chenani-Nashri road tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in Asia
![Modi inaugurates India's longest road tunnel](https://static.dynamitenews.com/images/2017/04/02/jk-pm-modi-inaugurates-chenani-nashri-tunnel-will-increase-tourism-says-gadkari/header.jpeg)
Srinagar: Amid multi- tiered security, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated Asia’s longest bi-directional road tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, making it operational for traffic.
The new 10.8 kilometre Chenani-Nashri road tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in Asia.
The tunnel will reduce the travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two hours. The distance from Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 kms (between two ends of the tunnel), instead of the existing 41 kms.
Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Chenani-Nashri tunnel is "state-of-the-art project" which will increase tourism and ensure supply of essential goods in the Valley.
Also Read: The 7 agreements exchanged by India and Malaysia
"Chenani-Nashri tunnel is state-of-the-art project. It'll increase tourism and it will increase employment potential and ensure supply of essential goods. It is a revolutionary step," added Gadkari. (With Agency Inputs)