Related Topics: Infrastructure Development, Regional Connectivity
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Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated India’s longest electrified rail tunnel.
Location
- The tunnel is situated between Cherlopalli and Rapuru stations of Andhra Pradesh.
- The 6 km long tunnel is part of the recently completed Obulavaripalli-Venkatachalam new railway line.
Features
- It is built in the shape of a ‘horse shoe’ using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM).
- The tunnel construction was completed in a record time of 43 months and was built at a cost of ₹437 crore.
- The height of tunnel (rail level to roof) is 5 meters and the minimum height of contact wire is maintained at 5.2 meters.
- The track is constructed without using Ballast by providing Bi-block sleepers and Vaslo fittings.
- Two sub-stations for supply of electric traction power are provided near Cherlopalli and Adurupalli with necessary switching stations in between.
- There are LED lights at an interval of every 10 metres inside the travel.
Significance
- The newly constructed tunnel will provide seamless rail connectivity between Krishnapatnam Port and the hinterland areas for freight movement.
- The 112-km long electrified railway line between Venkatachalam and Obulavaripalli will reduce the travel time by 5 hours.
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