New rail tunnels of WDFC to be constructed by June 2022

Mumbai will observe the emergence of new rail tunnels for two different multi-crore railway projects.

The belly of the many centuries-old Western ghats is being torn open for the development of tunnels and laying rail lines for the Dedicated Freight Corridor that is getting impetus.

One of the longest rail tunnels will be carved open by utilising explosives. Simultaneously on Sunday, one of the significant works for linking the new tunnel between Kalwa and Mumbra was conducted during the 18 hours block.

The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) is making progress to complete the work by the June 2022 deadline. For this, one of the significant works that are drilling a hole in the Western Ghats has achieved its final stages and will be cut open on Tuesday.

As per the authorities from Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL), executing this project, they will be utilising several kilograms of explosives that will be detonated to attain tunnel-breakthrough.

It is a huge milestone since such a crucial work of constructing the tunnels after exploding and cutting a mountain has not been done for decades. Similar activity was conducted in June during rains. They will be documenting it by utilising drones to record it, as per an official from DFCCIL.

There are two tunnels of 430 m and 320 m, both having a height and breadth of 8 to 10 m that have been dug. Till Dadri, there would not be another tunnel after this one coming on the Vasai-Virar stretch. They will reach a breakthrough on the 320 m long one while the other tunnel is ready.

After this, another significant work is the launching of girders on Ulhas River for a similar DFC corridor. Presently, there is a violation from buildings and slums on a few kilometers that need to be cleared for this project. Once done, the track laying on the 100 km odd long route is likely to begin from March next year.

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