The longest electrified tunnel on Indian Railway changes the manner that freight is transported.

This tunnel makes it possible for South and West Coast to be directly and profitably connected. It also expands the South Central Railway cargo options.

The longest electrified tunnel in Indian Railways has changed the way that freight is transported throughout the nation significantly. In 2019, the tunnel connecting the Cherlopalli and Rapuru stations of South Central Railways was dedicated to the country.

The 113 km long Obulavaripalli-Venkatachalam-Krishnapatnam Port railway route includes the 6.6 km long tunnel. The tunnel, a feat of engineering, has cut the trip for trains travelling from Krishnapatnam to Guntakal Division by 72 kilometres. Additionally, it lessens traffic volume in the region between Obulavaripalle and Renigunta and Gudur.

On June 25, 2019, the nation’s longest electric tunnel began full-scale operation. M Venkaiah Naidu, a former vice president, described the tunnel as “a feather in the pride of Indian railways.”

An estimated Rs 437 crores was spent on the construction of the tunnel. It features 14 Cross Passages and 44 Trolley Refuges.

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Characteristics of the Longest Electric Train Tunnel –

(a) The tunnel is fashioned like a “Horse Shoe”.
(b) During construction, the New Australian Tunneling Method (NATM) was used.
(c) The 10 meter-distance LED lighting fixture placed within the tunnel.
(d) The tunnel is 6.5 metres high (rail level to roof).
(e) The contact wire’s height is kept at 5.2 metres.
(f) The full length lining has a thickness of 300 mm.

This tunnel makes it possible for South Coast and West Coast to be directly and profitably connected, and it also expands the South Central Railway’s cargo options.

By 2030, the Railways hope to be the largest “Green Railway” in the world with zero carbon emissions. 4,100 TKM in total have been electrified during the Financial Year 2022–23.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that during the first 70 years of Independence, 20,000 route kilometres of train lines were electrified during the nation’s seventh Vande Bharat Express’s inaugural last week.