Jawahar tunnel on Jammu-Srinagar highway passess through

The Jawahar Tunnel, also known as the Banihal Tunnel, is a critical road passage located in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas [1]. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,194 to 2,835 meters, it was constructed beneath the Banihal Pass to provide year-round connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar on National Highway 44 (formerly NH1A) [1]. Before its completion in 1956, the route was often blocked by heavy snowfall during winter months. The Pir Panjal range is a part of the Lesser Himalayas and serves as a natural barrier between the Kashmir Valley and the outer plains. While other ranges like the Karakoram and Zaskar are located further north in the Trans-Himalayan region, the Jawahar Tunnel specifically pierces the Pir Panjal range to link the valley with the rest of India [1].

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > Main Mountain Passes > p. 19