Parsik Tunnel
{{Short description|Railway tunnel in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{coord|19.188710|73.015214|scale:100000|format=dms|display=title}}
{{Infobox tunnel
|name = Parsik Tunnel
|image = Parsik tunnel.jpg
|caption = Mumbai EMU train enters into the Parsik Tunnel
|line = Central line (Mumbai Suburban Railway),
Mumbai–Chennai line,
Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line,
Howrah–Allahabad–Mumbai line
|location = Thane district, Maharashtra, India
|coordinates =
|system =
|status = Active
|start = {{rws|Thane}}
|end = {{rws|mumbra}}
|stations =
|startwork = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1906}}
|opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1916}}
|close =
|owner = Indian Railways
|operator = Central Railway zone of Indian Railways
|traffic = Train
|character = Through Rail-passenger and freight.
|construction =
|length = {{convert|1.31678|km|abbr=on}}
|linelength =
|tracklength = {{convert|1681|m|abbr=on}}
|notrack = 2
|gauge = {{track gauge|1676 mm}} (Broad gauge)
|el = 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line
|speed = {{Cvt|90|km/h}}
|hielevation =
|lowelevation =
|height = {{Cvt|6|m}}
|width = {{Cvt|10|m}}
|grade =
}}
The Parsik Tunnel is a {{convert|1.31678|km|abbr=on}} long electrified dual-line railway tunnel located in Parsik Hill to the east of Thane, Maharashtra. It is a part of the Central line.[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nation-world/worlds-longest-and-deepest-rail-tunnel-opens-in-switzerland/india-has-close-to-20-mountain-rail-tunnels/slideshow/55981000.cms India has close to 20 mountain rail tunnels], Economic Times, Retrieved 4 October 2020 This tunnel bypasses the {{rws|Kalwa}} and {{rws|Mumbra}} railway stations, making it a fast line between {{rws|Thane}} and {{rws|Diva Junction}}. The west exit of the tunnel is to the southeast of the Kalwa station, while the east exit is to the south of the Mumbra station.
Length and elevation
The elevation of Parsik Tunnel is {{Cvt|45|m}} above sea level. The width of the tunnel is {{Cvt|10|m}} with a height of {{Cvt|6|m}}. It is one of the oldest and longest tunnels in India. Trains typically cross the tunnel in 2 minutes. The speed limit is {{Cvt|90|km/h}}.
History
After the Inauguration of the first railway line between {{rws|Bori Bunder}} (now {{rws|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus}}) and {{rws|Thane}} in 1853 and Extension to {{rws|Kalyan Junction||Kalyan}} in 1854 which was laid by the GIPR. At that time the distance between {{rws|Thane}} and {{rws|Diva Junction||Diva}} station was 9.6 km (6.0 mi) and the rail traffic was going higher, Due to that the quadrupling of Thane–Kalyan section was required. For that purpose, there was need for an alternate route for passing freight trains and passenger trains through Parsik Hill, The GIPR started construction of this tunnel in 1906, it took time 10 years to construct the tunnel and opened at the year 1916.[https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/life-on-the-local-parsik-tunnel-an-engineering-marvel-haunted-target-of-revolutionaries-5026214/ Life on the Local Parsik Tunnel], The Indian Express, Retrieved 3 October 2020
After the construction of the tunnel, it became the third-largest tunnel in Asia in the year 1916 and categorized as the tunnel of the fast line of Central line with reducing the distance between {{rws|Thane}} and {{rws|Diva Junction||Diva}} to 7 km (4.3 mi). Whereas the longer route of 9.6 km (6.0 mi) categorized as the slow line of Central line. And also becomes the landmark of a first-mile long tunnel constructed by Indian Railways, during the British period in India.[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.36650 History of Indian Railways Construction and Progress], Indian Railways Board, Retrieved 4 October 2020
This tunnel was electrified in the year 1925 with 1.5 kV DC by GIPR which came under the electrification project of Central Main line between {{rws|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus}} and {{rws|Kalyan}}.[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/dc-to-ac-conversion-on-mumbais-central-railways-rail-route-completed/articleshow/47582271.cms?from=mdr DC to AC Conversion of Mumbai's Central railways rail route completed], Economic Times, Retrieved 4 October 2020
After the Independence of India, and Incorporation of GIPR into the Central Railway in 1951. The Maintenance work of this tunnel was taken over by Central Railway.
On 5 May 2018, Central Railway converted the electrified tunnel from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line for a smooth ride with less breakdown for the commuters.[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/From-May-5-faster-Central-Railway-with-AC-power/articleshow/19792072.cms?referral=PM From 5 May faster Central Railway with AC power], Times of India, Retrieved 4 October 2018
New Projects
Two new tunnels have been planned across the Parsik Hill. one of these will be parallel to the existing tunnel for fast suburban train and freight trains and the second one for slow suburban trains between {{rws|Kalwa}} and {{rws|Mumbra}} stations.[http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-two-more-tunnels-through-parsik-hills-1467260 Two more tunnels through Parsik Hills], DNA India, Retrieved 1 September 2019
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.cr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,1191,1192,1394,1396,1418 Milestone of Railways (1916 opening of Parsik tunnel)]
- [http://wikimapia.org/980473/Parsik-Tunnel-Kalwa Parsik tunnel (wikimapia)]
Category:Railway tunnels in India
Category:Transport in Thane district