This is the Khandala end portal of the first Tunnel in our challenge – the venerated # 26. The tunnel is 900 meters long and carries the Up line (used only for descending traffic) and the Bi-directional Mid line. We are standing on the Up line.
Note the inauguration plaque for this tunnel on the right side of the portal. This plaque is visible in this picture from 1929 over the head of the gentleman on the right with the strong center hair parting.
Pune gang has attempted to clean this plaque on several occasions, but the torrential rains and the grime from the hundreds of daily train movements obscure the text within no time.