Unveiling the Epic Tale of Pakistan’s Khojak Tunnel – The World’s Largest Railway Tunnel
The Khojak Tunnel, located in Pakistan’s Qilla Abdullah District, stands as a remarkable feat of engineering and history. Just 113 kilometers from Quetta, this iconic tunnel cuts through the Khawaja Imran mountain range, connecting Sanzala to Shela Bagh. Known for being the world’s largest railway tunnel, the Khojak Tunnel also once appeared on Pakistan’s now-discontinued five-rupee note.
Construction of the Khojak Tunnel began on April 14, 1888, and required a staggering 19,724,426 bricks. Over 5 kilometers long, the tunnel was dug and constructed entirely by manual labor. Unfortunately, nearly 800 workers lost their lives during its construction, many of whom were buried nearby. The arduous process demanded 80 tons of water per day, and 6,594 lanterns lit the tunnel, allowing labor to continue day and night. To keep morale high, the famous dancer Sheela was brought from what is now part of India, performing at night for the exhausted laborers.
A key figure in the tunnel’s history was its chief engineer, who carefully surveyed and estimated that if digging began from both ends, laborers would meet in precisely 3 years, 4 months, and 21 days. This estimate set the completion date to September 5, 1891, and tensions mounted as the date neared. Rumors spread that the workers had deviated from the route and that the project could fail. Despite the mounting pressure, the engineer remained hopeful.
On the scheduled completion date, the engineer waited anxiously, with no word from within the tunnel by noon. His dreams seemingly shattered, he despondently climbed the mountain and leaped into a ravine. In a bittersweet twist, at that very moment, laborers from each side finally met, marking the completion of the Khojak Tunnel. Celebrations erupted, but when they found the engineer’s body, the accomplishment was overshadowed by his tragic fate.
The Khojak Tunnel, completed on schedule, remains a testament to human endurance and the engineer’s lasting legacy. The story of Pakistan’s Khojak Tunnel showcases the country’s rich heritage and monumental engineering achievements, with this structure continuing to inspire as a marvel of railway infrastructure.