World’s longest railway tunnel: Train runs 8040 feet below ground, took 17 years to build and cost Rs 1063460000000, the name is…

Gotthard Rail Tunnel: The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland is the longest railway tunnel at 57.1 km. The tunnel was opened in 2016 and connects northern and southern Europe, easing freight and passenger transport. Japan’s Seikan Tunnel and the Channel Tunnel follow close behind. These long tunnels improve global rail connectivity efficiently

Connecting Japan’s Honshu and Hokkaido islands, the Seikan Tunnel stretches 53.85 km, including 23.3 km beneath the seabed. Opened in 1988, it holds the title of the world’s longest undersea rail tunnel and accommodates both high-speed and regional trains.

Here are some of the interesting facts about Gotthard Rail Tunnel:

• Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel is the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel.
• It took 17 years to build this Tunnel and more than 2,400 to 2,600 workers were involved.
• The Channel Tunnel runs 50.45 km beneath the English Channel.
• Opened in 1994, it links Folkestone in the UK with Coquelles in France, facilitating passenger and cargo rail traffic through one of Europe’s busiest transport corridors.
• This rail tunnel passes beneath the Swiss Alps and connects northern and southern Europe.
• The journey from Zurich to Milan now takes just 3 hours, whereas earlier it took 5 to 5.5 hours.
• A total of 31 million tonnes of rock had to be excavated to built this tunnel
• The Gotthard Base Tunnel is not only the longest but also the deepest railway tunnel, passing 2,450 meters (8,040 feet) below the surface.
• It cost 12.5 billion dollars, which is Rs 10,63,46,11,58,400, to construct.
• Inside the tunnel, trains run at speeds of 200 to 220 kilometers per hour. Every day, more than 15,000 rail passengers cross this tunnel by train.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel is specially designed for freight transport. The tunnel not only saves travel time for trains but also reduces transportation costs. This railway line is reducing the cost of freight transport. With reduced pollution, it is also helping protect the environment.