In a historic move for South Indian railways, construction has begun on a pioneering rail-under-rail (RUR) tunnel in Kazipet. This 340-meter-long tunnel will facilitate the simultaneous passage of two trains, with one running on the surface and the other underneath.
The RUR tunnel, a first in the South Central Railway (SCR) zone, aims to streamline passenger travel towards New Delhi through the Vijayawada-Balharshah section. This section is a vital part of the Chennai-New Delhi golden quadrilateral route, one of the busiest corridors in Indian Railways that has now reached its capacity.
Kazipet serves as a major hub, managing train routes to several key cities across India such as New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Raipur, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Trivandrum, Danapur, Bilaspur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Patna. The high volume of train traffic has led to significant congestion, slowing down movement on this crucial route. The RUR project aims to ease this bottleneck by introducing a bypass lane, significantly improving train operations.
Officials describe the RUR as an engineering marvel due to the complex challenges of constructing on such an active route. Detailed planning and precise execution were essential to navigate the difficult terrain, requiring excavation to depths of 40 to 50 feet due to unsuitable land for traditional tracks.
?The construction of the RUR is on track to be completed in the next three months. This project is key to reducing traffic congestion along this route. Much of the tunnel work is already done, and the next phase involves laying double lines,? explained a senior railway official.
The RUR project is part of a larger bypass line extending over 21.47 route kilometers, with a budget of ?125 crores. This initiative is set to revolutionize train operations in the region, offering a critical solution to current congestion issues and enhancing the efficiency of the railway network. The successful completion of this project will mark a significant milestone in the advancement of rail infrastructure in South India.
