Vizhinjam railway tunnel to be constructed using low-cost Austrian tunnelling method, DPR approved

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The country's third-largest railway tunnel will be constructed in Vizhinjam using the low-cost New Austrian Tunnelling Method. It is the first in the country to construct an underground road using modern, inexpensive drilling and blasting technology instead of the expensive tunnel boring machine method. It also doesn't take up much space. As it is an underground road, 5.5 hectares of land is enough instead of the initially required 65 hectares.

The project construction committee chaired by Chief Secretary Dr V Venu approved the detailed project report (DPR) of the underground railway to be constructed for container movement at Vizhinjam port. Konkan Railway is tasked with construction. The total length of the line connecting the port with the main railway line at Balaramapuram is 10.76 km. Of this, 9.5 km is underground. The construction of the underground road is scheduled to be completed in 42 months. The tunnel will be constructed in 36 months. The port construction is in final stage. The first phase will be inaugurated in September. A trial run will be held next month after bringing containers on two huge barges.

The other two largest railway tunnels in the country are the 12.75 km tunnel, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link and the 11.2 km long Pir Panjal. Container removal will be by road until the construction of the railway is completed. For this, the port road was widened by connecting it with the Kanyakumari highway. The construction will be done jointly by the port company and the state government. Central assistance will also be sought to find the money.

Broad gauge road at Balaramapuram

• The railway will be up to 150 meters close to the port
• Balaramapuram railway station will be upgraded and converted into a crossing signal station
• 1.2 km broad gauge road will also be constructed in Balaramapuram
• Construction of container yard has started

New Austrian Tunneling

The method is drilling by breaking and grinding according to the structure and nature of the rock, and using it to reinforce the sides. Costs are reduced as the sides are constructed from blasting debris itself.

Construction cost- Rs 1400 crores

Rail route- Balaramapuram- Pallichal- Venganur- Vizhinjam