Amidst the towering heights of the Himalayas, where clouds kiss the earth and valleys whisper secrets, the dream of Indian Railways has taken full shape in the form of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). The grandeur of this project is reflected in its tunnels—hidden corridors that not only conquer geography but also pave the way for the speed of the future. Out of the 272-kilometre USBRL railway route, 36 major tunnels cover nearly 119 kilometres.
Tunnel T-50 (India’s longest transport tunnel, length: 12.77 km, location: Sumber–Khari) stands as a vital lifeline, seamlessly linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the nation. Constructed using the new tunneling method, it navigates through formidable rock formations such as quartzite, gneiss and phyllite. The tunnel features a main passage alongside a parallel escape tunnel, interconnected by cross-passages at every 375-metre interval.
T-80 (length: 11.2 km, location: Banihal–Qazigund) is built under the Pir Panjal range to ensure year-round connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir.
T-34 (length: 5.099 km, location: Pai-Khad to Anji Khad) stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity, seamlessly connecting Pai-Khad to Anji Khad. It features a twin-tube design—a Main Tunnel for train operations and a parallel Escape Tunnel for safety, interconnected by cross-passages at 375-metre intervals.
T-33 (location: Katra–Banihal section) spans 3.209 km at the base of the Trikuta Hills, forming a crucial link to the Kashmir Valley. Navigating highly fractured dolomite and the Main Boundary Thrust zone, it faced severe geological challenges, including a major collapse in October 2017 that halted progress for months.
T-23 (length: 3.15km) is the longest on this section, featuring a ballast-less track between Udhampur and Chak Rakhwal railway stations. In 2008, severe squeezing, swelling and bottom heaving caused major setbacks, requiring expert intervention. Overcoming these challenges, the tunnel was successfully completed, marking a significant milestone in the project.
T-1 (length: 3.209km), unfortunately, also faced the relentless challenges posed by the Main Boundary Thrust, including severe mud and water ingress.
The construction of the 3km Tunnel T-25 spanned six years, marked by the formidable challenge of an unexpected underground water stream discovered during excavation in 2006. This stream discharged between 500 and 2000 litres of water per second, posing significant hurdles. Overcoming this natural obstacle demanded unwavering determination, innovative engineering, and relentless effort from the project team.
