Kamchiq Tunnel

The Kamchiq Tunnel (Uzbek: Qamchiq tonneli)[1][2] is a 19.2 kilometres (11.9 mi) long railway tunnel in Uzbekistan, which makes it the longest tunnel in Central Asia and in ex-USSR,[3] and the longest broad gauge railway tunnel in the world (not counting metros).

Kamchiq Tunnel
Kamchiq Tunnel is located in Uzbekistan
Kamchiq Tunnel
Overview
Other name(s)Qamchiq Tunnel
LineAngren–Pop railway line
Coordinates41.1097°N 70.5853°E / 41.1097; 70.5853
Operation
Opened22 June 2016
OperatorUzbek Railways
Technical
Track length19.2 kilometres (11.9 mi)
Track gauge1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in) Russian gauge
Electrifiedelectrified

Background

This tunnel connects the fertile and densely populated Fergana Valley region of Uzbekistan, where about one third of the population lives, to the rest of the country. Prior to the fall of the Soviet Union and the independence of the republics of Central Asia, connectivity to Fergana Valley region was not an issue, as a rail line cutting across Sughd Region of Tajik SSR connected Tashkent and the rest of Uzbekistan to the region. The breakup of the Soviet Union meant that Fergana Valley was connected to the rest of Uzbekistan via only one road connection, A373 Highway through Kamchik Pass. Rail connection required travelling through territory of the now separate country of Tajikistan, resulting in a reported annual cost of $25 million in transit fees paid to Tajikistan.[4]

Construction

The tunnel was built by the China Railway Tunnel Group in collaboration with the Uzbek Railways and leads through seven geologic faults. Construction began September 2013 and the excavation works were finished 27 February 2016. In January 2014, work was delayed by an avalanche, covering the entrance with 78 metres (256 ft) of snow.[5][6]

The tunnel is part of the Angren–Pop railway line.

The tunnel was opened for traffic on June 22, 2016.[7][8]

See also

References
  1. "Xitoy nashrlari Qamchiq dovonida qurilayotgan temiryo'l tunneli suratlarini namoyish etdi". Daryo. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  2. "Ислом Каримов ва Си Цзиньпин Қамчиқ туннели очилиш маросимида иштирок этди". Qalampir. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  3. Huang Jin (29 February 2016). "Chinese technology opens longest tunnel in Central Asia". China Daily.
  4. Sadykov, Murat (14 March 2013). "Uzbekistan: New Ferghana Railway Plan Tweaks Tajikistan". Eurasia.net. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. "Tunnelda burg'ulash, kovlash ishlari muddatidan oldin tugatildi". Uzbek Railways. 27 February 2016. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016.
  6. 谢亚宏 (29 February 2016). ""中国技术"打通中亚最长隧道". People's Daily. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  7. "Chinese, Uzbek leaders hail inauguration of Central Asia's longest railway tunnel - Xinhua | English.news.cn". news.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  8. "Two presidents open Angren – Pap railway".
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