Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 17
A newly constructed tunnel on the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway was partially opened to civilian traffic on Monday, prompting celebrations among residents after weeks of pressure over delays in making the facility operational.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened the Sungal Tunnel to light and medium motor vehicles during daytime hours, with traffic currently restricted to vehicles up to three metres in width.
Traffic will initially be allowed between 8 am and 8 pm, officials said.
The opening came days after residents and several organisations staged protests over the delayed commissioning of the tunnel, which they said had been completed but remained unavailable for general traffic.
Protesters had claimed the project was already running about 18 months behind schedule and criticised the absence of a firm opening date.
Some protesters had described the facility as a “VIP tunnel”, alleging that it was being used mainly by officials and political leaders while ordinary motorists continued to face difficulties on the highway.
Following the protests, the BRO had said the tunnel would be opened on August 22.
The partial opening several days before that date came as a surprise to residents and was followed by celebrations around the tunnel.
Locals, including young people, gathered near the facility and distributed sweets, welcoming the move as a significant improvement in connectivity.
Residents said the tunnel would particularly benefit people travelling between Jammu and the Rajouri and Poonch districts, whose combined population is more than 1.3 million, while also improving access for parts of Reasi and Jammu districts.
The tunnel is expected to reduce travel difficulties on a strategically important highway connecting the Jammu region with the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Residents welcomed the initial opening but urged the BRO to allow round-the-clock traffic, arguing that restrictions during night hours could create problems during medical emergencies and other urgent travel.
Ashish Srivastava, Commander of the Border Roads Task Force, said the tunnel had been opened in the first phase for light motor vehicles during daytime hours while safety arrangements were being monitored.
“We will progress the further opening of tunnel that include movement of heavy vehicles and 24 hours movement of vehicles from tunnel,” he said.
The BRO’s phased approach is intended to allow authorities to monitor the tunnel’s safety and traffic conditions before expanding access to heavier vehicles and extending operating hours.
For residents of Rajouri and Poonch, the opening marks a significant step towards improving year-round connectivity along a highway that has often been affected by difficult terrain and weather-related disruptions.
