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Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project Hits 41st Tunnel Milestone
Confirmed
In Short: The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of its 41st tunnel, bringing the project closer to completion.
The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project, a broad-gauge railway line in Uttarakhand, has reached a major milestone with the completion of its 41st tunnel, Escape Tunnel-1, on September 11, 2026. This project, developed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited under the Ministry of Railways, is estimated to cost Rs 37,000 crore and is set to be completed by December 2029.
The 125-kilometer railway line is designed to connect Rishikesh with Karnaprayag through the Himalayan region, featuring multiple tunnels, bridges, and viaducts. The project has achieved 78% overall progress and 97% tunnel excavation, with Escape Tunnel-1 being the second-longest at 10.847 kilometers. The project has faced challenges due to adverse geological conditions, particularly thick mylonite zones near the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT).
According to the Ministry of Railways, the project has encountered complex geological formations, including multi-folded and faulted rock formations, which have required advanced design and geological probing. The project manager, Nishith Sharma, highlighted the significance of the escape tunnel's breakthrough, noting the challenging terrain. The project relies on a mix of tunnelling methods, including Tunnel Boring Machines and the New Austrian Tunnelling Method, to navigate the Seismic Zone IV terrain.
The project is expected to significantly improve rail connectivity in Uttarakhand and enhance travel to the Himalayan region. With the completion of Escape Tunnel-1, the project is on track to meet its construction deadlines. The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has set a target completion date of late 2028 or 2029, with the first trains reaching Karnaprayag by then. The project's ambitious design includes more than 83% of the alignment running through tunnels, comprising 16 main line tunnels and 12 escape tunnels, accounting for approximately 213 kilometers of tunnelling.
What's confirmed
- The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project recorded its 41st tunnel breakthrough on 11 September 2026 with the completion of Escape Tunnel-1.
What's still developing
- Such projects are planned with escape tunnels, ventilation systems, and drainage arrangements for safety and maintenance.
- According to recent project monitoring data, overall tunnel excavation across the corridor had crossed the 200 km mark even before this latest breakthrough, placing the project close to full excavation completion, with final lining work also progressing in parallel to meet construction deadlines.