In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the 8.5 kms long tunnel between Qazigund and Banihal has been opened for traffic on trial basis. This was informed by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday. The tunnel will reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by about one & half hours and 16 kilometres.<br />''<br />''The Union Transport Minister in a tweet said that built at 5,800 feet above sea level, the Tunnel replace Jawahar Tunnel and will provide all weather connectivity.<br />''<br />''Meanwhile, the J&K Lietenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision of building quality infrastructure in J&K for the coming generations.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #000000;">Mr Sinha further said that the completion of the tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar besides giving a major fillip to economic activity in the region.</span><br />