Team Herald
The proposed Institute of Tunnel Technology will be established at Margao in South Goa as it is well connected by rail and air transport. It is even on the international tourist map and has relevant infrastructure in place. Konkan Railway’s tunnels are also nearby for ease of imparting training.
The objectives of this Institute will be a depository of knowledge, experience and data for tunnels and underground structures to provide training of tunnel technology and consultancy services for tunnels and underground construction. Konkan Railway has rich and vast expertise in this field.
Looking at the need of the hour and the directions of the Minister for Railways, Suresh Prabhu, the Konkan Railway Silver Jubilee celebrations will culminate on 23rd Oct, in a function at Goa with the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the construction of a “George Fernandes Institute of Tunnel Technology”. Defence Minister and Former Chief minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar is also expected to attend the function along with state government officials.
It is to be noted that Konkan Railway was formed in 1990 and constructed a 761 km rail link between Mumbai (Roha) and Mangalore (Thokur). The entire line was opened for traffic on 26th Jan, 1998. Konkan Railway completed 25 years and is celebrating its Silver Jubilee now. The celebration started on 15th October in Mumbai. Prabhu was the Chief Guest and distributed awards to employees who exhibited exemplary services during the year.
According to the chief public relation officer (CPRO) of the Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC), the union Railway minister, while speaking on the occasion, praised the efforts of Shri Madhu Dandwate, Shri George Fernandes and Shri R K Hegde. Prabhu said Konkan Railways was the dream of Shri George Fernandes, who was the driving force behind the project. “The foundation stone for the Institute will be laid during the Silver Jubilee celebrations. It will be a fitting tribute to Shri George Fernandes during the Silver Jubilee year of the Corporation,” said Prabhu.
“At present, the country does not have an Institute for training serving engineers. We depend on foreign experts and technology. The facilities for tunnel technology training exists in Europe. The cost of consultancies and training in foreign countries is high. The training imparted here will be specially adapted to suit the geology of the Indian sub-continent,” added the Union Railway Minister.
The central minister who has relations in Goa, went on to highlight the need to provide rail and road connectivity to even the remotest places. Besides, the growing urbanization of metros and tier two cities has necessitated construction of tunnels in a big way. “Transportation through tunnels not only conserves the surface environment but also leaves the ground surface for humanity and earth’s flora and fauna to flourish. Though mankind has been constructing tunnels from pre-historic times, the present demand for construction of tunnels in difficult. Himalayan geology and under built urban environment needs tunnel experts,” said Prabhu.
