India is home to some of the most magnificent engineering marvels in the world, and one such masterpiece is the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel. The tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in India and is an integral part of the Jammu–Baramulla line, connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country. Let’s delve deeper into the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel and explore its significance.
Location and Length
The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel is located in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, connecting Banihal and Qazigund in Jammu and Kashmir. The tunnel has a length of 11.215 km (7 miles), making it the longest railway tunnel in India.
Construction
The construction of the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel began in 2005 and was completed in 2013. The tunnel was constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) and is designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 on the Richter scale. The tunnel’s construction was a challenging task, given the difficult terrain and the harsh weather conditions of the region.