India to build second longest tunnel
12 January 2015INDIA – State-owned national rail operator Indian Railways has proposed the construction of the country’s second longest tunnel. The 8km tunnel would form part of the Kolhapur to Rajapur link close to the country’s west coast, south of Mumbai.
At the time of writing, the Pir Panjal tunnel is the longest in operation at 11km, and the Karbude tunnel at 6.5km is the second longest.
Local media reported that business support for the tunnel was strong, with lobbyists visiting railway minister Suresh Prabhu to get his support. Anonymous sources reported that Prabhu expressed interest in the link, which would be the first east-west connectivity across the Sahyadri mountain range.
A new freight port nearby adds to the economic case. However there are environmental concerns, as a "significant section" of the route runs through the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. Railway officials claimed that they would go ahead with the project because they will ensure measures like construction of bridges and tunnels to keep animals passing tracks untouched.
