Latest news with #HimalayanTunnelingMethod
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Know why Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla (USBRL) rail link with world's tallest Chenab Bridge is India's most ambitious mountain railway project
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a 272-km engineering marvel that now connects the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the Indian railway network. Decades in the making, the USBRL project is among the most complex and ambitious rail infrastructure efforts ever undertaken in India, built through one of the most geologically challenging and seismically active regions in the world. A journey through tunnels and mountains Out of the 272-km-long railway stretch, nearly 119 km runs through 36 main tunnels carved through the rugged Himalayas. Among them is Tunnel T-50, India's longest railway transportation tunnel at 12.77 km, located between Khari and Sumber stations. The project also includes: T-80 (Pir Panjal Tunnel): India's second longest transportation tunnel at 11.22 km, connecting Banihal and Qazigund. T-44: The third longest railway tunnel in India, 11.13 km, between Sawalkote and Sangaldan. 8 escape tunnels, totalling 66.4 km, constructed alongside the main tunnels for emergency evacuation. The tunnels were built using the Himalayan Tunneling Method, an advanced technique adapted specifically to cope with the region's fragile geology and frequent seismic activity. Bridging engineering extremes The USBRL is also home to the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge. Towering 359 metres above the riverbed—35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower—the bridge spans 1.3 km and required over 600 km of steel welding, more than the rail distance from Jammu to Delhi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo Equally impressive is the Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. It stretches 725.5 metres across a deep gorge, held in place by a single central pylon rising 193 metres from its foundation. The bridge uses 96 stay cables, all installed within just 11 months. The total running length of these cables is 653 km, again exceeding the Jammu–Delhi rail distance. Designed for all-weather travel In a region known for harsh winters, the USBRL project ensures year-round rail movement. Vande Bharat trains operating on the line are equipped with ice cutters to remove snow from tracks, ensuring uninterrupted service even during heavy snowfall. Symbol of national integration The USBRL project marks a significant step in connecting remote and mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India, both physically and symbolically. It promises not only to boost tourism and trade in the region, but also to provide strategic and logistical support in this sensitive border area. With its tunnels piercing mountains and bridges soaring over deep gorges, the USBRL stands as a testament to India's engineering prowess and determination to bridge distances—literally and figuratively. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
The Print
2 days ago
- The Print
Railway Minister shares 8 features of Katra Srinagar Rail Link
Additionally, the rail link features India's second-longest transportation tunnel, T-80 (11.22 km), known as the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, situated between Banihal and Qazigund. In a post on X, Vaishnaw described the project as a 'remarkable feat of engineering,' emphasising that it includes 'India's longest transportation tunnel, T-50,' which is 12.77 km long and located between Khari and Sumber. Katra (Jammu), June 6 (PTI) With the flagging of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday shared eight notable features of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. 'India's 3rd longest railway tunnel T-44 stretches over 11.13 Km; between Sawalkote-Sangaldan,' he added. Vaishnaw highlighted that the project involves the construction of 36 main tunnels with a total length of 119.6 km, along with eight escape tunnels totalling 66.4 km. He also outlined the details of the Chenab Bridge, which is the world's highest railway arch bridge, which measures 1.3 km in length and stands at a height of 359 metres —35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower. The construction involved over 600 km of steel welding, exceeding the length of the railway track from Jammu to Delhi. Vaishnaw took the opportunity to showcase the iconic Anji Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. 725.5 metres in length, the bridge is balanced on the axis of a single central pylon and the height of a single pylon is 193 m from the top of the foundation. Remarkably, all 96 stay cables were installed within just 11 months, with a total length of 653 km— more than the distance from Jammu to Delhi. 'Advanced construction technique was specifically adapted to the complex geological and seismic conditions of the Himalayan region – Himalayan Tunneling Method,' his post read. Another significant feature, the minister shared, was the 'all weather train movement' – the installation of 'ice cutter' in Vande Bharat trains to clear snow from tracks, ensuring reliable all-weather train movement. PTI JP MPL MPL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Railway Minister shares 8 key features of Katra Srinagar Rail Link
Katra (Jammu): With the flagging of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday shared eight notable features of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. In a post on X, Vaishnaw described the project as a "remarkable feat of engineering," emphasising that it includes "India's longest transportation tunnel, T-50," which is 12.77 km long and located between Khari and Sumber. Additionally, the rail link features India's second-longest transportation tunnel, T-80 (11.22 km), known as the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, situated between Banihal and Qazigund. "India's 3rd longest railway tunnel T-44 stretches over 11.13 Km; between Sawalkote-Sangaldan," he added. Vaishnaw highlighted that the project involves the construction of 36 main tunnels with a total length of 119.6 km, along with eight escape tunnels totalling 66.4 km. Live Events He also outlined the details of the Chenab Bridge , which is the world's highest railway arch bridge, which measures 1.3 km in length and stands at a height of 359 metres -35 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower. The construction involved over 600 km of steel welding, exceeding the length of the railway track from Jammu to Delhi. Vaishnaw took the opportunity to showcase the iconic Anji Bridge , which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. 725.5 metres in length, the bridge is balanced on the axis of a single central pylon and the height of a single pylon is 193 m from the top of the foundation. Remarkably, all 96 stay cables were installed within just 11 months, with a total length of 653 km- more than the distance from Jammu to Delhi. "Advanced construction technique was specifically adapted to the complex geological and seismic conditions of the Himalayan region - Himalayan Tunneling Method ," his post read. Another significant feature, the minister shared, was the ' all weather train movement ' - the installation of 'ice cutter' in Vande Bharat trains to clear snow from tracks, ensuring reliable all-weather train movement.
