 The tunnel is India's longest road tunnel.It will reduce the distance from Chenani to Nashri by 31 km and reduce traffic jams on NH44 (earlier name NH1A) that occur due to snowfall and avalanche in winter at Patnitop.About 2 km of the tunnel had been excavated by April 2012, about 50% of the length had been excavated by January 2013. and the excavation was completed in December 2016.