Avinaash Mehra
‘The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in one’s determination.’
The dream of much anticipated Udhampur-Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link Project is coming true by couple of weeks.The project is being constructed by Indian Railways as National Project in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since 2002. The Railway Board, Government of India has entrusted the construction of section of Katra-Dharam section project to KRCL and Dharam-Baramulla to IRCON International limited through Northern Railway. The project has been in progress for more than two decades. It is unique and has various sections, many of them are operational. Among the operational are Jammu to Udhampur (2005), Qazigund to Baramulla (2008), Qazigund to Banihal (2013) Udhampur to Karta (2014), Banihal to Sangaldan (2024). The section between Sangaldan to Reasi was completed in June 2024. Total Length of the USBRL Project is around 300 kms out of which 119 kms is cumulative length of tunnels, which is constructed in sections. However, the most challenging sections of USBRLP are completed including world’s highest steel and concrete arch Chenab bridge, India’s longest T49 railway tunnel and iconic cable stayed Anji bridge, but the connectivity of railway link was impeded due to ongoing execution of T01 tunnel,which is situated in the western flanks of Trikuta hills, abode of reigning deity Shri Mata Vaishno Devi,in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. Without the completion of T01 tunnel, the USBRL project could have remained pendulous.
The total length of the T01 tunnel is 3209 m out of which 370 m stretch was very challenging while execution. It is also considered as one of the most challenging tunnels in India, as it is excavated through significant Reasi Thrust, subsidiary of Main boundary thrust. It is a significant fault in the Himalayas, marking the boundary between the Lesser Himalayas and the Sub-Himalayas. The ground conditions near the vicinity of fault/thrust reaches are not favorable for tunnels due to incompetent ground conditions. The presence of Reasi thrust across the tunnel alignment created many problems. Although there was re-alignment of the tunnel to escape the major stretch of the Reasi thrust but even after realignment, over 370 m stretch encountered incompetent and flowing ground condition in T01 tunnel.
It was primarily because the tunnel had entered a gravity-driven ground medium with highly water charged ground categorized as ‘Flowing’. In other words, it is like mud and slush like ground (Visco-elasto-Plastic). Negotiating through such ground was like ‘one step forward, two steps back’situation. This is the only tunnel of USBRL project where the ground condition was totally different from rest of the sections of USBRL project. Many attempts were made but no major advancement was made between August 2016 and January 2022.In this period of no face advancement, many renowned design consultants failed to suggest appropriate methodology. Numerous unsuccessful attempts were made, resulting in 16 failures. On-going tunnel excavation methods like NATM and Conventional proved incoherent to tackle the encountered zone of Reasi thrust because of their applicability only in rocks but not to flowing ground and soils. At that moment, the tunnel advancement was apparently impossible.
‘We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope’- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Higher Authorities of Railway were still hope full and determined to complete this tunnel.
Finally, Northern Railway and KRCL entrusted Dr. Bineshian Hoss (Principal, Technical Director, Amberg Engineering AG) and introduced innovative’ Index of Ground Structure-tunnelling method-(I) TM’ in January 2022 for detailed design consultancy service for the remaining and most challenging stretch of T01 tunnel. This is the only Tunneling method which is applicable to both rocks and soils due to its comprehensive approach. This innovative method surpassed prevailing rock classification systems due to its usage in any type of ground conditions. This system assists to delve deep the nuances of ground and helps to provide adequate support system during tunnel advancement. Gradually, the tunnel advancement paced-up and T01 tunnel had its successful breakthrough in December 2023 and completion of final lining works in October 2024.It is pertinent to mention here that Higher Officials and site staff of Northern Railway, KRCL, Amberg and ABCI has given their 24*7 dedicated services to complete, almost abandoned tunnel.
Its accomplishment and hard-earned success will be commemorated very soon as this rail link will provide connectivity to remote areas as well to populous places and will make travel easier within the region and to other parts of India. The project will also boost the tourism and socio-economic development of netizens of Jammu and Kashmir. Dedicated to Nation, successful completion of magnificent USBRL project is in wrought by hard work of various teams of Northers Railway, KRCL, IRCON, Foreign experts, Consultants and various construction companies. Having worked in various sections of USBRL project for 12 years, author expresses his sincere gratitude to Ministry of Indian Railway (Govt. of India) and hundreds of workers of all associated agencies for making this project, ‘Possible’.
(The author is formerly, Sr. Geologist-Amberg Engineering)
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