India, with its vast and diverse landscapes, has been continually expanding its railway network to connect remote regions and facilitate efficient transportation. One crucial aspect of this development is the construction of tunnels, allowing trains to traverse challenging terrains such as mountains and hills. In 2024, India boasts an impressive array of railway tunnels, with several ranking among the longest in the country. Let’s delve into the engineering marvels that make up the top-10 longest tunnels in India.
Tunnels play a pivotal role in shaping a country’s infrastructure, enhancing transportation efficiency and contributing to military strategic planning. Presently, Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, spans 11.21 km, holds the title of longest railway tunnel in India 2024. It is located in the Pir Panjal Mountain Range in Jammu Kashmir which is operational since 2013. It significantly reduces travel time between Banihal and Baramulla.
Patalpani Rail Tunnel which is set to open in 2025, will be the India’s longest Railway Tunnel with the total length of 14km. Patalpani Rail Tunnel, located in Madhya Pradesh, will connect Indore with Mumbai and offer a unique combination of rail and road functionality.
Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, with the length of 11.21 km, is the longest railway tunnel in India and Patalpani Rail Tunnel, with the length of 14 km, is set to be the longest rail tunnel in future which is expected to be open in 2025.
Here is the list of top-10 longest railway tunnels in India:
| Longest Railway Tunnels in India | ||||
| S. No. | Name | Location | Length (in Km) | Opened |
| 1. | Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel | Jammu and Kashmir | 11.21 | 26th June 2013 |
| 2. | Trivandrum Port Tunnel | Kerala | 9.02 | 2022 |
| 3. | Sangaldan Railway Tunnel | Jammu and Kashmir | 7.1 | 2017 |
| 4. | Rapuru Tunnel | Andhra Pradesh | 6.6 km | 2019 |
| 5. | Karbude Tunnel | Karabude, Maharashtra | 6.5 km | 1997 |
| 6. | Natuwadi Tunnel | Maharashtra | 4.8 km | 1963 |
| 7. | Tike Tunnel | Maharashtra | 4.07 km | 1997 |
| 8. | Maliguda Tunnel | Koraput, Odisha | 4.4 km | 1963 |
| 9. | Berdewadi Tunnel | Maharashtra | 4 km | 1997 |
| 10. | Savarde Tunnel | Maharashtra | 3.5 km | 1997 |
Length: 11.21 km
Start: Banihal
End: Qazigund
Location: Jammu and Kashmir
Opened: 2013
The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, situated at 1,760 meters above sea level, spans 11.21 kilometers through the Pir Panjal Mountain Range in Jammu and Kashmir. As India’s longest rail tunnel, it is part of the Jammu Baramulla line, operational since 2013. The tunnel reduces the travel distance from Banihal to Baramulla from 35 to 17 kilometers, offering a swift and vital link in the region.
Length: 9.02 km
Start: Thiruvananthapuram
End: Kanyakumari
Location: Kerala
Opened: 2022
The Trivandrum Port Tunnel, also known as Varkala Tunnel or Varkala Canal, is a historic marvel in Kerala, India. Constructed by the Travancore kingdom between 1867 and 1880, these 1.06 km long tunnels facilitated seamless inland waterway transportation, serving as a vital trade route connecting Trivandrum to Kollam during the pre-independence era.
Length: 7.1 km
Start: Sangaldan
End: Kohil
Location: Jammu and Kashmir
Opened: 2017
The Sangaldan Railway Tunnel, opened in 2017, stands as one of India’s longest railway tunnels. Spanning approximately 8 km, it links Karta and Banihal Railway Stations, connecting Jammu to Baramulla. Nestled in the Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir, the tunnel, skillfully constructed by the Konkan Railway Corporation, faced challenges but was efficiently executed by dedicated workers and engineers.
Length: 6.6 km
Start: Vellikallu
End: Cherlopalli
Location: Andhra Pradesh
Opened: 2019
In Andhra Pradesh, the Rapuru Railway Tunnel stands as India’s longest electrified rail tunnel, stretching 6.6 km between Cherlopalli and Rapuru stations. Part of the Obulavaripalli – Venkatachalam Railway line, it efficiently connects Krishnapatnam port to hinterland areas, reducing travel time by 5 hours. Completed in a record 43 months, this horse shoe-shaped marvel overcame construction challenges and boasts LED lighting every 10 meters, enhancing its engineering excellence.
Length: 6.5 km
Start: Ukshi
End: Bhoke
Location: Karabude, Maharashtra
Opened: 1997
The Karbule Tunnel, formerly India’s longest rail tunnel before the Pir Panjal Railway Line, spans 6.5 km near Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. A crucial part of the Konkan Railway route, it holds the record as the line’s lengthiest tunnel. Operational since 2019, this engineering marvel greatly commuters, connecting Ukshi and Bhoke stations and standing as a testament to the Konkan Railway’s impressive infrastructure.
Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, with the length of 11.21 km, is the longest railway tunnel in India.
The Trivandrum Port Tunnel, also known as Varkala Tunnel or Varkala Canal, is the second longest tunnel of India which spans over 9.02 km.
Patalpani Rail Tunnel which is set to open in 2025, will be the India’s longest Railway Tunnel with the total length of 14km.
The top-5 longest railway tunnels in India are: Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, Trivandrum Port Tunnel, Sangaldan Railway Tunnel, Rapuru Tunnel and Karbude Tunnel.
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