Khojak Tunnel
 Entrance of the Khojak Tunnel | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Line | Rohri–Chaman Railway Line |
| Coordinates | 30°49′54″N 66°35′16″E / 30.831662°N 66.587644°ECoordinates: 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.[1] The tunnel was constructed in 1891 under the Khojak Pass, and was featured on the old Five Rupee banknote.
The tunnel is one of the longest tunnels in South Asia, and was the longest in Pakistan until superseded by the 8.75 km (5.44 mi) Lowari Tunnel in 2018.
1891 The tunnel was constructed under the Khojak Pass and remains one of the longest tunnels in South Asia, and the longest in Pakistan. It is expected to be surpassed by the 8.6 km Lowari Tunnel, currently under construction, in 2009.
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 labour contractor was Waja Durra Khan Baloch from Karachi who originally migrated from Baho Kalat in early 1600s and got his first contract when British were working on Karachi Port. Later on he was awarded various railway contracts from Balochistan to Banglor and later Rangoon Burma. Later 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[]
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[]
Grace's Guide to British Industrial History
Further reading[]
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- Tunnels in Pakistan
- Balochistan
- Tunnels completed in 1891
- 1891 establishments in British India
- Railway tunnels in Pakistan
- Balochistan (Pakistan) geography stubs
- Pakistan transport stubs