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Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project Hits Milestone with 41st Tunnel Breakthrough
Confirmed
In Short: The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project has achieved another major milestone with the final breakthrough of Escape Tunnel-1, bringing the Himalayan railway closer to completion.
The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project has marked a significant construction achievement with the completion of the first escape tunnel at Dhalwala, according to reports from The Economic Times. Spanning 10 kilometers, this tunnel connects Dhalwala to Neer Gaddu, furthering progress in the challenging mountainous project.
With 22 out of 28 tunnels finished by Rail Vikas Nigam, the project promises to enhance Uttarakhand's transport facilities in steep terrains. The 125-km-long Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line project involves the construction of 28 tunnels, of which RVNL has already completed 22. The project is being developed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, at a cost of Rs 37,000 crore.
According to the Ministry of Railways, due to adverse geological conditions, some sections have developed thick mylonite zones, particularly because of the tunnel’s proximity to the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). The project has achieved 78 per cent overall progress, with around 97 per cent of the tunnel excavation completed. The project is expected to improve rail connectivity in Uttarakhand and make travel to the Himalayan region easier.
The final breakthrough of Escape Tunnel-1, which is 10.847-km-long and the second-longest tunnel in the project, has connected the tunnel along its entire length. This achievement is significant as the tunnel was constructed through challenging Himalayan geological conditions, passing through highly tectonized, multi-folded, and extensively faulted rock formations with widespread shearing and locally intense crushing.
What's confirmed
- The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project has marked a significant construction achievement with the completion of the first escape tunnel at Dhalwala, according to reports from The Economic Times. Spanning 10 kilometers, this tunnel connects Dhalwala to Neer Gaddu, furthering progress in the challenging mountainous project.
- With 22 out of 28 tunnels finished by Rail Vikas Nigam, the project promises to enhance Uttarakhand's transport facilities in steep terrains. The 125-km-long Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line project involves the construction of 28 tunnels, of which RVNL has already completed 22. The project is being developed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, at a cost of Rs 37,000 crore.
- According to the Ministry of Railways, due to adverse geological conditions, some sections have developed thick mylonite zones, particularly because of the tunnel’s proximity to the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). The project has achieved 78 per cent overall progress, with around 97 per cent of the tunnel excavation completed. The project is expected to improve rail connectivity in Uttarakhand and make travel to the Himalayan region easier.
- The final breakthrough of Escape Tunnel-1, which is 10.847-km-long and the second-longest tunnel in the project, has connected the tunnel along its entire length. This achievement is significant as the tunnel was constructed through challenging Himalayan geological conditions, passing through highly tectonized, multi-folded, and extensively faulted rock formations with widespread shearing and locally intense crushing.
What's still developing
- “Successfully completing the excavation and achieving the final breakthrough through such complex geological conditions is a testament to the technical expertise, perseverance, teamwork and commitment of all stakeholders involved,” it said.
- According to the project update, only five more breakthroughs are expected to be completed within the next year.