Khojak Tunnel

Railway tunnel in Pakistan

30°49′54″N 66°35′16″E / 30.831662°N 66.587644°E / 30.831662; 66.587644StatusOperationalCrossesKhojak Pass in Toba Achakzai rangeNo. of stationsShela BaghOperationOpened1891 (1891)OwnerMinistry of RailwaysOperatorPakistan RailwaysTechnicalLength3.91 kilometres (2.43 miles)Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)

Khojak Tunnel

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Location in Pakistan (relief map)

Khojak Tunnel

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Location in Balochistan

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.^[1] The tunnel was constructed in 1891 under the Khojak Pass, and was featured on the old Five Rupee banknote.^[2]

The tunnel is one of the longest tunnels in South Asia, and was the longest in Pakistan until superseded by the 8.75 km (5.44 mi) Lowari Tunnel in 2018.

History

The tunnel was constructed in 1891 under the Khojak Pass and 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]

It was featured on the old Rs. 5 banknote.

It was constructed in 3 years and it is so straight that a mirror can be used to reflect light at one end which is visible from the other.

The major railway line track laying and labor contractor was Waja Durra Khan Gorgigh Baloch from Karachi who originally migrated from Baho Kalat in early1800s and in his teen age year got his first contract when British were working on Karachi Port. Later on he was awarded various railway contracts from Balochistan to Assam, Banglor and later Rangoon Burma, after his death his son took charge and British awarded his son Waja Fakir Muhammad Durra Khan the status of honorary judge in Karachi city court and after his death a road named after him from Badshahi road to 8 chowk Lyari.

Gallery

Photo Gallery of Khojak tunnel

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

^ ^a ^b 1998 District Census Report of Killa Abdullah, Population Census Organisation, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, 2000. Pg 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.