Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel

Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel Latest News

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is a historic infrastructure project enhancing Jammu & Kashmir’s connectivity with mainland India. Its completion, marked by the Katra–Sangaldan section, ensures year-round, faster rail access to the Kashmir Valley.

About Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel

• The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, also known as the Banihal Railway Tunnel, is currently India’s longest transportation railway tunnel, measuring 11.2 kilometres in length.
• It is part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and connects Quazigund in the Kashmir Valley with Banihal in Jammu, passing under the Pir Panjal mountain range.
• It is the only broad-gauge mountain railway tunnel in the country and part of the USBRL’s 202-km core segment.
• The Pir Panjal Range, part of the Lesser Himalayas, spans across Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Key peaks: Notable peaks include Indrasan (6,221 m) and Deo Tibba (6,001 m).
• Hydrological significance: It separates the Beas and Ravi Rivers from the Chenab River and is the origin zone for tributaries of the Jhelum and Indus Rivers.
• Strategic passes:
  • The Mughal Road traverses the Pir Panjal Pass (3,490 m) to link Poonch and Rajouri with Srinagar.
  • The Jawahar Tunnel (2.5 km) under Banihal Pass connects Banihal to Qazigund.
• Tourism and History: The region hosts famous destinations like Gulmarg, and was historically an ancient trade route connecting Kashmir with mainland India.

Source: IE

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