Khojak Tunnel
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]
 Entrance of the Khojak Tunnel | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Line | Rohri–Chaman Railway Line |
| Coordinates | 30°49′54″N 66°35′16″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The tunnel is one of the longest tunnels in South Asia, and was the longest in Pakistan until superseded by the 8.75 km (5.44 mi) Lowari Tunnel in 2018.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 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
- 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.
