As of 2024, which landmark infrastructure project of India is recognised as the world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 ft?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg Superintendent -29 April 2025 (Shift-1st)

Explanation

Atal Tunnel holds the official record from the World Book of Records as the 'World's Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet'.
It is a 9.02 km long highway tunnel located under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas.
The tunnel provides crucial all-weather connectivity to the Lahaul and Spiti valleys, which were previously isolated for about six months each year due to heavy snowfall.

Option A: Chenab Bridge is the world's highest railway bridge, not a highway tunnel.
Option B: Bogibeel is India's longest rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river, not a tunnel.
Option D: The Zojila Tunnel is currently under construction. While it will be longer than the Atal Tunnel upon completion, it does not hold the record as of 2024.

Visual 1: Map of India - Highlighting the locations of Atal Tunnel, Chenab Bridge, Bogibeel Bridge, and Zojila Tunnel to provide geographical context.
Visual 2: Infographic - A comparative chart showing the key features (type, length, status, key record) of the four infrastructure projects mentioned in the options.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Major Infrastructure Projects in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
General awareness of major national projects is part of the syllabus for many nursing entrance exams, reflecting the need for well-rounded knowledge.
Understanding the geography and infrastructure of remote regions like the Himalayas is relevant for community health planning and disaster management preparedness, as these projects drastically improve access for medical services and emergency evacuations.
What if the question asked for the longest rail-cum-road bridge in India? In that case, the answer would be Bogibeel Bridge.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key qualifiers in the question: 'longest', 'highway tunnel', 'above 10,000 ft', and the timeframe 'as of 2024'.
Next, evaluate each option against these specific criteria.
Eliminate options that do not match the 'type' of project. Chenab Bridge and Bogibeel Bridge are bridges, not tunnels, so they can be eliminated.
Compare the remaining tunnel options. Differentiate between completed projects and those under construction. The Zojila Tunnel is still under construction.
This leaves Atal Tunnel as the only option that is a completed highway tunnel of record-breaking length at the specified altitude, holding the current record.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg Superintendent -29 April 2025 (Shift-1st)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.