New Delhi, Jan 14 (NationPress) The government declared on Wednesday that India’s tunnel infrastructure symbolizes a significant transition towards innovative and robust development, addressing persistent connectivity issues while bolstering economic advancement and national imperatives.

With pivotal projects like the Atal Tunnel, India is swiftly enhancing its tunnel capabilities. These tunnels do more than just represent infrastructure growth; they embody the nation's resolve to tackle geographical obstacles.

By carving through mountains and terrains that previously hampered connectivity, tunnels now facilitate year-round transportation. They have also enhanced access to isolated areas and fortified connections among communities, as stated by an official announcement.

The surge in tunneling activities in India is driven by the expansion of national highways, in addition to strategic border infrastructure, metro rail developments, bullet train corridors, and all-weather connectivity projects in remote locales.

As infrastructure expands, tunneling has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors in construction.

Located beneath the snow-covered peaks of the Pir Panjal ranges, the Atal Tunnel spans 9.02 km, offering a high-altitude route that circumvents Rohtang Pass.

“It was officially acknowledged as the World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 feet in 2022 by the World Book of Records UK. This tunnel has shortened the Manali–Sarchu distance by 46 km and decreased travel time by four to five hours,” the statement elaborated.

Another notable project is the Sonamarg Tunnel, a 12-km engineering marvel sculpted through mountains at an elevation exceeding 8,650 feet. This tunnel is poised to revolutionize travel in Jammu and Kashmir.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore, it features a 6.4-km main tunnel, an egress tunnel, and modern approach roads creating a reliable all-weather route between Srinagar and the scenic meadows of Sonamarg, extending towards Ladakh.

Once paired with the forthcoming Zojila Tunnel (2028), the journey will decrease from 49 km to 43 km, with speeds increasing from 30 km per hour to 70 km per hour, enhancing defense logistics, winter tourism, adventure sports, and the livelihoods of the residents in these mountainous regions.

Additionally, the Zojila Tunnel stands as a monumental milestone in India’s infrastructure landscape, penetrating some of the most challenging Himalayan rock formations to create a reliable, all-weather connection between Ladakh and the rest of India.

With nearly 12 km already finished, the project incorporates cutting-edge safety features and a semi-transverse ventilation system intended to ensure consistent airflow deep within the mountains, according to government sources.

India’s Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor has made a significant advancement with the completion of its 4.8-km undersea tunnel segment.