The first test run of a train through the country’s longest 11.21 km tunnel connecting Qazigund to Banihal was carried out by the railways.
The tunnel constructed by Hindustan Construction Corporation will reduce the travel distance between Qazigund and Banihal from 35 km (by road) to just 17.5 km (by train). Importantly, the Pir Panjal tunnel has attained the distinction of being the second longest railway tunnel in Asia, an HCC spokesman said.
The tunnel section of the track was built at a cost of Rs 1691 crore, and took almost seven years to complete.
The tunnel has been equipped with the state of the art air quality monitoring, ventilation, communication, and fire fighting systems, Ballast less track system has been provided which is pollution and maintenance free. “Opening of Banihal-Qazigund section will be a turning point not only in the history of Jammu & Kashmir, but for the India as well,” said a Railway spokesman.
No comments:
Post a Comment