Rajouri, Aug 17: Amid growing public demand, the newly constructed Sungal Tunnel on the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch National Highway has been partially thrown open by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), bringing relief and triggering celebrations among residents of the region. The tunnel has been opened for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and Medium Motor Vehicles (MMVs) with a maximum width of three metres. However, traffic movement through the tunnel has presently been restricted to daytime hours from 8 am to 8 pm. The opening comes amid strong public pressure and a massive protest held recently by people and various organisations over the delay in making the vital tunnel operational. Protesters had alleged that the completion of the tunnel had already been delayed by nearly one-and-a-half years and that no clear schedule for its opening had been announced.
The protesters had also alleged that the tunnel had virtually become a “VIP tunnel”, with its use largely restricted to the movement of VIPs from the bureaucratic and political spheres while the general public continued to face difficulties on the highway.
Following the protest, the BRO had pacified the protesters and announced that the tunnel would be opened on August 22.
