The ambitious Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway project reached a significant construction milestone on Friday, September 11, 2026, with the successful breakthrough of the first auxiliary tunnel for Package One. This crucial development marks another step forward in bringing reliable rail connectivity to the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand, promising safer and faster travel for millions of pilgrims and tourists visiting the region every year. Here is a quick look at the key highlights of the project:
- First auxiliary tunnel breakthrough achieved for Package One connecting Dhalwala to Neergaddu.
- Total tunnel excavation reaches 205.82 kilometers out of 213 kilometers, completing roughly 97% of the work.
- 146.76 kilometers of final tunnel lining successfully completed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.
- Project completion slated for December 2029, with train operations up to Byasi expected by June 2028.
- Travel time between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag will drastically reduce from 6-7 hours to just 2.5 hours.
The newly breached auxiliary tunnel spans approximately
5.2 kilometers. According to official project data,
37 breakthroughs have now been successfully completed out of 42 planned in the current phase. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the primary implementing agency, is utilizing advanced technologies such as the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) and Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) methods across the
125-kilometer rail link, which will feature
16 main tunnels and 12 escape tunnels. Himanshu Badoni, the project's chief civil project manager, noted that excavation and final lining are being conducted in parallel to expedite construction and meet upcoming deadlines.
Meanwhile, RVNL General Manager Ajit Yadav confirmed that efforts are intensifying to lay
125 kilometers of new broad gauge track. IRCON International is overseeing the track installation, while MEIL is executing the
7B segment from Narkota to Tilani Yard. The infrastructure will also include
19 major bridges, eight of which are already complete—including vital structures over the Alaknanda River—with
13 expected to be finished this year. While the full 125-kilometer project is slated for completion by
December 2029, officials aim to commence passenger train operations up to the Byasi section much earlier by
June 2028. Highlighting the modern tech integration, project manager Vinod Bisht stated that the line is poised to become a digital heartbeat for the region, as modern digital cabling is already being seamlessly integrated into the tunnels.
