NAUSHERA TUNNEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure)

Context: The Border Road Organisation recently achieved a major milestone by breaking through Naushera tunnel on the highly strategic 200 kilometers long stretch.

Naushera Tunnel

• About: NH 144A is a dual-lane road established by the central government in 2015, connecting Jammu to Rajouri and Poonch districts.
• Road Connectivity: Originating from Jammu, NH 144A provides vital road links to Akhnoor sub-division and a portion of Reasi district.
• Significance of Upgradation: The national highway is undergoing a transition from two to four lanes to enhance year-round, efficient connectivity for the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, as well as parts of Jammu and Reasi.
• Socio-economic Impact: The upgradation is expected to foster socio-economic development in Jammu, Reasi, and the Pir Panjal region, reducing travel time between Poonch-Rajouri and Jammu to 4.5 hours from the current 6-7 hours.
• Strategic Importance: The upgraded highway facilitates rapid movement of defense vehicles along the Line of Control, bolstering connectivity from Akhnoor to Poonch district, even during wartime.
• Reduction in Travel Time: The project aims to cut travel time between Poonch-Rajouri and Jammu, benefiting residents and enhancing overall regional accessibility.
• Four Major Tunnels: Kandi tunnel, Sungal tunnel, Naushera tunnel and Bhimber Gali tunnel