Kashmir Rail Link Project: Breakthrough Achieved On India’s Longest Escape Tunnel

The Udhampur - Srinagar - Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project achieved another milestone in its progress.

Today (15 December) breakthrough of the 12.89 km long escape tunnel of T-49 was achieved without any flaw despite many geological challenges. This is the longest escape tunnel of India.

The T-49 tunnel is made up of two tubes: the 12.75 km main tunnel and an escape tunnel. It was built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which employs a sophisticated drilling and blast technique. The tunnel's cross-section profile is a modified horseshoe form.

The escape tunnel is being built parallel to the main tunnel, according to international standards, with cross tunnels every 375 m, to enable rescue and restoration operations.

The main tunnel mining was already completed and final lining works are progressing at a rapid pace.

Recently, in October, break-through of the 10.18 km long T-48 tunnel was achieved. This tunnel, a part of USBRL project, is the fourth longest tunnel of Indian Railways.

Connecting Kashmir to Indian Railway network

The ambitious USBRL project has been undertaken by the Indian Railways for construction of a broad-gauge railway line through the Himalayas, with the aim of connecting the Kashmir region with the rest of the country.

Construction of the first three phases of the project has been completed and the line is in operational use for running of trains between Baramulla-Banihal in Kashmir Valley and Jammu-Udhampur-Katra in Jammu region.

Work on the intervening 111 kilometre Katra-Banihal section, the most arduous and treacherous portion due to its geology and extensive riverine system replete with deep gorges, is ongoing.

There are several iconic bridges and tunnels coming up in this section. Most of the rail track is slated to be in tunnels or bridges in this section.

This project includes the construction of India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge and the world's highest railway bridge.

Anji Bridge, the first cable-stayed railway bridge in the country, is coming up at a height of 331 metres above the river bed to connect Katra with Reasi in the Kashmir rail link project.

On the other hand, Chenab Bridge which is the world's highest railway bridge is nearing completion. Once completed, this bridge will loom over the treacherous Chenab, flowing some 359 metres below.

This bridge is 1,315 metres long and is the highest railway bridge in the world, being 359 metres above the river bed level. It will be 35 metres higher than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The cost of construction of the 111 km long Katra-Banihal section so far has been Rs 30,672.34 crore.

The budget allocation to the project has increased manifold since 2014, enabling speedy construction activity.