Khojak Tunnel
| Khojak Tunnel خوجک سرنگ | |
|---|---|
 Entrance of the Khojak Tunnel | |
Interactive map of Khojak Tunnel خوجک سرنگ | |
| Overview | |
| Line | Rohri–Chaman Railway Line |
| Coordinates | 30°49′54″N 66°35′16″E / 30.831662°N 66.587644°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Crosses | Khojak Pass in Toba Achakzai range |
| No. of stations | Shela Bagh |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1891 |
| Owner | Ministry of Railways |
| Operator | Pakistan Railways |
| Technical | |
| Length | 3.91 kilometres (2.43 miles) |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
The Khojak Tunnel (Urdu: خوجک سرنگ, Khojak Sarang), is a 3.91 km (2.43 mi) railway tunnel in the Toba Achakzai range in the Qilla Abdullah District of Balochistan province, Pakistan.[1] It is located 1,945 m (6,381 ft) above sea level under the Khojak Pass.[1]
The tunnel was completed in 1891 by the British Raj. It was part of the Rohri–Chaman Line, which opened in 1879 through the North-West Frontier Province. The tunnel is one of the longest tunnels in South Asia, and was the longest in Pakistan until superseded by the 8.75 km (5.44 mi) Lowari Tunnel in 2018. Its civil engineering stature resulted in it being featured on a post-Independence Pakistani Five Rupee banknote.[2]
History
The tunnel was built by the British under the Khojak Pass. Construction took three years to complete; it opened to regular rail services in 1891. The civil engineering is so precise, the tunnel is straight enough that reflected light from a mirror at one end can be seen 2.5 mi (4.0 km) at the other portal. It remains one of the longest tunnels in South Asia, and the second longest in Pakistan, having been surpassed in length by the Lowari Pass in 2018.[3][4]
The track laying and labor contractor was Waja Durra Khan Gorgigh Baloch from Karachi whose family originally migrated from Bahu Kalat (now inside Iran) in the early 1800s. In his teens he got his first contract from the British while working on Karachi Port. Later on he was awarded various railway contracts from Balochistan to Assam, Bangalore and later Rangoon, Burma. After his death his son took charge of the business. The British awarded this son, Waja Fakir Muhammad Durra Khan, the status of honorary judge in Karachi city court. When he died, the British named a road from from Badshahi road to 8 chowk Lyari in his honor.
Gallery
Tunnel at Kojack Pass - western end, 1895
Gulistan station on the Great Military Railway, at entrance to Khojak Tunnel
Train standing at Shela Bagh railway station
Chaman Passenger Train entering Khojak Tunnel
Schram's Rock Drill Carriage used in excavation of the tunnel
References
- 1 2 1998 District Census Report of Killa Abdullah. Population Census Organisation, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad. 2000. p. 5.
- ↑ "Khojak Railways Tunnel — the engineering marvel of British India". The Express Tribune. October 23, 2022.
- ↑ Shah, Danial (October 23, 2016). "The mystery of Shela Bagh". DAWN.COM.
- ↑ "The Mystery of Khojak Tunnel". Voice of Balochistan. February 20, 2019.
Further reading
