See: http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/press_2005/press_JK_roadtunnel_270905.htm
27th Sept, 2005 PRESS RELEASE ROAD TUNNEL IN J&K NEW RAIL LINE PROJECT MADE THROUGH BY KONKAN RAILWAY The first road tunnel, as a part of the new rail line project in Jammu & Kashmir, which will serve as a shortest approach for the difficult Chenab river site was made through by Konkan Railway recently. The road tunnel is a part of 250 km approach road network being made by Konkan Railway for enabling construction of the new railway line between Katra and Laole in J&K. The road network is a spin off of the main new railway line project in the State. The road tunnel is 396 m long for double-lane traffic. It was made through in about 10 months. Costing about Rs.7 cr, the road tunnel has reduced the approach distance to the Chenab river bridge site by 13 km and has resulted in indirect benefit of almost Rs.30 cr to Rs.40 cr to the railways. The tunnel is supported by steel ribs and concrete. The entire 250 km road network being constructed by railways will be available to locals for approaching the remote areas of J&K after the completion of the railway line project. Katra-Laole section is 90 km in length and is the most difficult stretch of the new rail line project as well as any railway project undertaken in the world. It has been entrusted to Konkan Railway due to its expertise in construction of tunnels and bridges. This is a difficult terrain and consists of largely hilly steep slopes intersected by a number of rivers and khads. The challenges in the project are aplenty, reminding once again of the challenges faced during construction of the KR line. The geological challenges, the terrain, the climatic challenges, man-made challenges – all of these have made this a gigantic project. Salient features of Katra-Laole section: 1) Route length : 90 kms 2) Estimated cost : Rs.4735 cr 3) Land : 2129 hectares 4) Earth work : 256 lakh cu m 5) Tunnels : 49 (track length inside tunnels = 68 km) 6) Major bridges : 72 (track length on bridges = 13 km) 7) Special bridges : 2 across river Chenab and Anji Khad 8) Stations : 8 9) Ruling gradient : 1:100 Chenab bridge shall be the highest railway bridge in the world (359 mtrs) across river Chenab and with its construction Konkan Railway will once again display its construction expertise.
