JAWAHAR ROAD TUNNEL

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The National Highway NH1 from Udhampur (note 1) north towards Srinagar passes (note 2) near Banihal through the Jawahar Tunnel excavated from Upper Triassic limestone or from fossiliferous Jurassic beds (note 3). SITUATION: 26th May, 1851. Monday … Over the Bunhal [sic!] Pass … The -Pass- ia a very easy one, and cannot be more than ten thousand feet [3038 m] in elevation, judging from the height of the mountain above the valley of Kashmir … The Kashmir face of the mountain is densly wooded with firs, beech, and other trees, to within a few yards of the crest of the Pass … There is a hut at the crest of the Pass, untenanted by man or beast. I suppose it is meant for benighted travellers … The descent of the Pass is stony and rugged, and totally devoid of trees … (HERVEY, Mrs. 1853, 2: 134-136). TUNNEL DESCRIPTION 1992: Just as I entered the orange glow of the interior the lights went out and I was left to fumble in the dark with my switch. Nothing lit up and I had to adjust to the gloo with pot holes underfoot and a torrent of water splashing down from the roof. I heard a rumble and distant horn to signify a bus was bearing down on me from behind. […] At last heaven's light appeared in the distance and I shot out of the drenching rock cavern into a brilliant blue world on the other side of the mountain (AITKEN 1992: 168-169). TUNNEL DESCRIPTION 1997: The 2.5 km long tunnel … has two separate passages; inside it's very damp and full of vehicle-emission fumes (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 321; LONELY PLANET, North India 2001: 359). TUNNEL DESCRIPTION 2009: Upon arriving from Jammu town beyond having descended from Panitop to the Balighar dam, the road is … winding back up to the 2531 m Jawahar Tunnel … (LONELY PLANET, India 2009: 286). CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: The road tunnel keeps the Vale of Kashmir more or less accessible throughout the year (note 4). CAVE LIFE: Compare –>Nandni Road Tunnel.The National Highway NH1 from Udhampur (note 1) north towards Srinagar passes (note 2) near Banihal through the Jawahar Tunnel excavated from Upper Triassic limestone or from fossiliferous Jurassic beds (note 3). SITUATION: 26th May, 1851. Monday … Over the Bunhal [sic!] Pass … The -Pass- ia a very easy one, and cannot be more than ten thousand feet [3038 m] in elevation, judging from the height of the mountain above the valley of Kashmir … The Kashmir face of the mountain is densly wooded with firs, beech, and other trees, to within a few yards of the crest of the Pass … There is a hut at the crest of the Pass, untenanted by man or beast. I suppose it is meant for benighted travellers … The descent of the Pass is stony and rugged, and totally devoid of trees … (HERVEY, Mrs. 1853, 2: 134-136). TUNNEL DESCRIPTION 1992: Just as I entered the orange glow of the interior the lights went out and I was left to fumble in the dark with my switch. Nothing lit up and I had to adjust to the gloo with pot holes underfoot and a torrent of water splashing down from the roof. I heard a rumble and distant horn to signify a bus was bearing down on me from behind. […] At last heaven's light appeared in the distance and I shot out of the drenching rock cavern into a brilliant blue world on the other side of the mountain (AITKEN 1992: 168-169). TUNNEL DESCRIPTION 1997: The 2.5 km long tunnel … has two separate passages; inside it's very damp and full of vehicle-emission fumes (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 321; LONELY PLANET, North India 2001: 359). TUNNEL DESCRIPTION 2009: Upon arriving from Jammu town beyond having descended from Panitop to the Balighar dam, the road is … winding back up to the 2531 m Jawahar Tunnel … (LONELY PLANET, India 2009: 286). CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: The road tunnel keeps the Vale of Kashmir more or less accessible throughout the year (note 4). CAVE LIFE: Compare –>Nandni Road Tunnel.