Barog Tunnel No. 33 is one of the most remarkable and historically rich landmarks located on the Kalka-Shimla railway line in Himachal Pradesh. It lies at 114.561 kilometres on this route, nestled between Barog and Solan stations. This tunnel was once considered the second-longest railway tunnel in India and remains a key part of the scenic journey through the hills. However, its importance is not only in its engineering but also in the tragic story that surrounds its creation.
The construction of this tunnel began in July 1900 and was completed in September 1903. The total cost of building this structure was about 8.40 lakh rupees, a significant amount at the time. The project was carried out under the supervision of H. S. Harrington, a British officer, and guidance was also taken from a local sage named Bhalku, who is believed to have helped with the alignment of the route using his intuition and deep knowledge of the area. This collaboration between British engineering and local wisdom played a crucial role in completing the project.
Initially, the responsibility for constructing the tunnel was given to a British railway engineer named Colonel Barog. Following a method that was becoming common at the time, Colonel Barog ordered that the tunnel be excavated from both ends simultaneously so that they could meet in the middle. However, due to a miscalculation in the angle and alignment, the two ends of the tunnel did not meet. It was a major setback, and the mistake was viewed as a failure not only by the engineer himself but also by the British administration.
Colonel Barog was fined one rupee by the British government for his error, which may seem minor, but for him, it was a matter of deep shame. Unable to bear the embarrassment of his professional failure and the weight of responsibility, he took his own life near the construction site. It is believed that this suicide happened around the area where the tunnel was being dug, and since then, the place has carried the mark of that tragedy.
After the unfortunate incident, a new team took over the construction work. With renewed planning and support from local experts like Bhalku, the tunnel was realigned and completed successfully. Interestingly, the tunnel retained the name “Barog Tunnel,” in memory of the engineer whose dream was never fully realized. Despite the failure and the tragedy that followed, his name continues to be associated with this marvel.
Today, Tunnel No. 33 is not only operational but is also considered one of the most straight and well-maintained tunnels on the Kalka-Shimla railway route. The train passes through it in about two and a half minutes, and it remains an essential part of the heritage route, which is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The story of Barog Tunnel serves as a powerful reminder that even the most carefully laid plans can go wrong, and that behind great structures lie human emotions, dreams, and sometimes even sacrifices. It is a tale of ambition, error, and the heavy burden of responsibility. Yet, it is also a tale of perseverance, where others picked up the task, corrected the mistake, and brought the dream to life.
When one travels through this tunnel today, it is easy to be lost in the beauty of the surrounding hills and the calmness of the journey. But hidden within those hills is a story that deserves to be remembered — of an engineer whose name lives on in a tunnel, not because of its perfect execution, but because of the lesson his journey teaches us about humanity, pride, and redemption.
