Aryankavu Tunnel

Aryankavu Railway Tunnel
Overview
Official nameAryankavu–Puliyara (Kottavasal) Tunnel
Other name(s)Kottavasal Tunnel
LineKollam–Sengottai Chord Line
LocationAryankavu, Kerala - Tamilnadu Border
StatusActive
CrossesWestern Ghats
StartAryankavu in Kerala
EndPuliyara in Tamil Nadu
Operation
Work begun1901
Opens1903
OwnerIndian Railways
OperatorSouthern Railway zone of Indian Railways
TrafficTrain
Technical
Length891.70 Meter
No. of tracks1
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) (Broad gauge)
ElectrifiedNo
Operating speed30km/hour
Highest elevation274.320 Meters above M.S.L

The Aryankavu–Puliyara (Kottavasal) tunnel, also known as the "Aryankavu tunnel", is a colonial-era railway tunnel located in the southern Western Ghats on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in India.[1][2] This 891.70 meter long tunnel is a section of the Kollam-Sengottai railway line, which was the first line in the former Travancore Kingdom and has been in operation for more than a century.[3] This tunnel's construction began in 1901, and two years later, in 1903, it was finally completed. The Travancore Kingdom's conch insignia has been inscribed on both sides of the tunnel.[4] Aryankavu railway station in Kerala and Bhagavathipuram Station in Tamil Nadu are connected via the Aryankavu tunnel. It is the longest railway tunnel in Kerala and contains the state border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.[5][6] The border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu is located 672 meters inside the tunnel from the Aryankavu entrance in Kerala.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Whistling adieu". The Hindu. 17 March 2010.
  2. ^ "Lesser Known Kerala Mountain Railways: Treat for Nature Lovers!". Be on the road.
  3. ^ "Thenmala Attractions". Kerala Travels.
  4. ^ "View of the 112 years old tunnel from the eastern side (Harish Kumar)". IRFCA.
  5. ^ "റെയിൽപാത വഴി വരവ് നടക്കില്ല; കോട്ടവാസൽ തുരങ്കത്തിൽ 24 മണിക്കൂറും പരിശോധന". manoramaonline.
  6. ^ "but not before spotting the state border point inside the tunnel (Naveen)". IRFCA.
  7. ^ "DSC_0105". IRFCA.