PIR PANJAL TRAIN TUNNEL AND BANIHAAL RAILWAY STATION IS COMPLETE NOW.

                                                                               

 

PHOTO Autar Mota

                                                                       

   PHOTO Autar Mota

                                                                       

                   THE BANIHAAL  TUNNEL  AND  KASHMIR RAIL  PROJECT

  

I was in  Banihal  recently.  Banihal pass that separates Kashmir from Plains of the country falls in PIR PANJAL mountain  range   .There is a town below the pass once you cross it from kashmir valley and move towards Jammu . This town located at the base of the pass is also known as Banihal. Prior to execution of Kashmir Rail Project , Banihal used to be a sleepy town on Jammu - Srinagar National highway . Vehicles going to Srinagar or coming from srinagar would halt here to enable passengers to have tea or snacks. Toll Tax and State Excise Duty had also to be paid over here previously.

Kashmiri  is the main spoken language of the town. I came across a handful of  Thakkar Rajputs and Gadhies  living  around RAMSOO which is the first major village on  BANIHAAL  to JAMMU highway. I am informed by some reliable persons of the town that Sh Hamid Ullah Khan IAS Ex Chief Secretary and Ex Advisor to Governor of J&K hails from  Neel Chamalvaas village which falls in close proximity to Banihaal  Town. Falling under newly Created Ramban District ,Banihal is about 90 kms srinagar and about 210 kms from Jammu.

I shall also  say something about the prestigious Kashmir Rail project now. Now that Jammu Udhampur Rail link is since operational (  since 2005), Kashmir Rail Project actually means a train link between Udhampur and Baramulla. Indian Railways is supervising the 25 Kms Track from Udhampur to Katra while KONKAN RAILWAYS  is laying  the track from katra to Laole Sanghaldhan Section (90 km) and IRCON is executing this work   from Laole Sanghaldhan to Baramulla. This is how three organizations are supervising this prestigious Kashmir Rail Project . Sanagaldhaan is approachable from RAMBAN as well as from Reasi near katra . Banihal to Udhampur segment is perhaps the toughest part of this Project in terms of Track alignment , Gradient , hills , Mighty Chenab river ,streams, Landslide Zones and poor Road connectivity for movement of men and material. The greatest engineering challenge involved is the crossing of the Chenab river by a bridge 1,315-metre-long and 359 metres above the river bed, . The Chenab Bridge will be the highest railway structure of its kind in the world and  Certainly 35 m higher than the tip of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Nonetheless Challenge is a challenge .HCC, IRCON and KONKAN Railways have proved their skill and expertise not only in India but also in various countries of Asia and Africa .Kudos  to  the Dedicated Teams of IRCON and HCC  for  making the impossible to happen gradually in this area .

 “Look Mr Mota , We are country’s premier company in the construction and Infrastructure segment. Ours is a different story of commitment and dedication. A sense of creating wealth for the nation. That is what the founders of this company always desired. The company is dream of Seth Walchand Hirachand of Sholapur in Maharashtra who was a pioneer in building ships and aircrafts in the country . He also started the Premier Automobiles and an insurance company. Seth Walchand was touched by Gandhi ji’s Satygraha and the movement for country’s independence . He was also started first National News Agency in the country . SUCH DEDICATED MEN CREATE WEALTH AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR COUNTRY MEN.

And Believe me, All of us have been working round the clock . It was a National Task entrusted to us . Most of us had sleepless nights . For sure one has to miss the comfort of Home cooked food , comfort of being in your family and friends .Such projects demand time , attention and focus . The mind moves on a single Track . For a Project Manager , the Mission is to see the light from the other side of the Tunnel. I am more than happy that we did it . For years to come the people of the country and the state shall remember HCC for executing this 11 km long Dream project called PIR PANJAL TUNNEL .”

Said Mr Sharnappa Yalal Young Project Manager HINDUSTAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY in his office located at Village Nogaam In Banihaal.

HCC has built the Pir Panjal Tunnel near village Cheril in Banihal with an exit near lower Munda on the other side .The tunnel is ready  As We went  inside the Tunnel,  cold  winds  coming from Kashmir valley from the valley side opening of the Tunnel tried to sweep us away .The public address system , the lights , 38 Fire fighting stations , 5 Electric substations ,28 Massive Exhaust Fans, 190 CCTVs and concealed water drainage system makes you believe that the Tunnel is a real State of Art Project accomplished by HCC and IRCON. The tunnel has also been provided with   two  emergency helipads on either sides  . This new Tunnel shall be about 8 metres wide having single Rail Track and a Path for Movement of Rescue vehicles during any eventuality . The  Tunnel has been  constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling method or NATM. This New Rail Tunnel is about 11Kms in length and has been   completed.. The digging teams from Both sides was made possible with the use of  GPRS , Digital mapping and NATM . Rock cutting Machines ,Steel Ribs, heavy pumps to drain water out of the tunnel and RCC spraying machines were  put to use almost round the clock inside the Tunnel.. A massive Station complex is nearing completion  near Banihal Town. The economy of the town is undergoing a rapid change . Government has also set up a Banihal Development Authority

This new  tunnel shall be Asia’s third longest Tunnel ( 11.3Kms ) and an engineering marvel. The tunnel has been completed   at a cost of  rupees 900 crores approx.  in 7 years and is now scheduled  for   Regular traffic very shortly .

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I am informed that Land prices have shot up to Rs 20 to 30 lakhs a kanal in this 5 Kms by 1 Km Picturesque valley surrounded by snow capped hills .I am informed by IRCON officials that once every thing settles down this section of the train journey shall be the loveliest and enjoyable and comparable to the Switzerland Train Journey. The train is bound to move through snow clad hills with thick snow carpet spread on earth during winter season. Not far off. Just wait to ride Baramulla - Banihal .

Can We enjoy Jammu – Srinagar train journey in our lifetime? I do not know .The toughest execution work involving laying of tracks , digging of Tunnels and construction of bridges from Banihaal to Reasi is a real challenge to HCC , IRCON and other agencies involved in the execution of the jammu- Srinagar Rail Link .. I end this post with four lines from a Gazal of Parveen Shakir ..

Mainay jiss lamhe ko poojaa hai ussay Bas ek baar

Khwaab ban kar teri Aankhon Mein utarataa dekhuun

Tuu Meraa kuchh nahin lagataa hai magar jaan-e-hayaat

Jaanay kyon tere liye dil ko Dhadaktaa dekhuun….

( Autar Mota )

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

This Post has been updated   on  22nd May 2013 ,   Time 11.25 PM …. Good Night             
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