J&K CM Omar Abdullah Inspects Near-Complete Sungal Tunnel; Strategic Project to Cut Travel Time by 45 Minutes

NOWSHERA, AUGUST 06, 2026 — On his return journey from Rajouri to Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conducted an on-site inspection today to evaluate the final stages of construction at the strategically vital Sungal Tunnel. During the visit, senior officials presented a detailed briefing on the project’s current status and the remaining tasks, confirming that the critical infrastructure project has reached its concluding phase and will soon be fully opened to all public traffic. To ensure public safety and continuous medical access prior to the formal inauguration, authorities highlighted that essential emergency vehicles, including ambulances, are already being granted passage through the passage. Emphasizing the need for timely execution, Chief Minister Abdullah directed the engineering teams and administrative officers to complete all pending works expeditiously without compromising on quality or safety standards.

This visit marks the Chief Minister’s second direct review of the site this year, following a previous inspection on April 20 when he assessed early excavation, structural development, and adjacent road network connections. According to project updates provided by the Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project Sampark, the 2.79-kilometer-long engineering marvel crosses through the formidable Kalidhar Range. Once fully operational, the Sungal Tunnel is set to drastically enhance regional mobility by bypassing treacherous terrain and slashing commute times between key locations by approximately 40 to 45 minutes, marking a major milestone for border area development and strategic infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.