Kashmir railway makes history
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By K.N. Pandita
The formidable and inhospitable Himalayan Range called Pir Panchal has been penetrated. The 11.3 kilometer long tunnel linking Banihal with Qazigund and onwards to Baramulla has been completed. This is Asia’s longest tunnel on which work was begun in July 2005. Considering the features of the tunnel, the entire plan and engineering skill of highest degree it involved, there is justification for the IRCON to have taken a little more than the stipulated time to bring it to completion. The oldest tunnel we had once was almost at the height of ten thousand feet on Banihal top. Dug during the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh, the army used it extensively for transportation of men and material when the tribal raid of 1947 on the valley took place. As communication and transportation increased between Kashmir and the rest of the country, another tunnel for road transport called Jawahar Tunnel was made during the days of Bakhshi Ghulam Muhammad. It continues to be used till date. Continue Reading…