Shri Saleem Ahmad, CMD of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), visited the Rishikesh Karnaprayag New Broad Gauge Rail Link Project site for two days, conducting reviews and inspections. The project, spanning 125 km in Uttarakhand, aims to provide all-weather rail connectivity to the Garhwal region, enhancing mobility and economic integration. During his visit, Ahmad held meetings with project officials and experts, stressing the need for timely completion by 2028 while maintaining high safety and quality standards. The project features 83% of its route in tunnels and incorporates advanced construction technologies to address geological challenges.
Rishikesh Karnaprayag Rail Project
The completion of Tunnel-8 marks a significant engineering milestone, being India’s longest twin-tube railway tunnel. Once operational, travel time will decrease from 7 hours to 2.5 hours, boosting tourism and logistics in the region The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail project is one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives in the Himalayan region, aimed at transforming connectivity across Uttarakhand. Recently, the Chairman and Managing Director of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Shri Saleem Ahmad, conducted a comprehensive review of the project’s progress, underscoring the strategic importance of timely execution and quality construction.
This review comes at a crucial stage when several tunneling and bridge construction milestones are being achieved, reinforcing the project’s role in strengthening regional mobility, tourism, and economic development The Rishikesh Karnaprayag rail line, spanning approximately 125 kilometers, is designed to connect the plains of Rishikesh with the mountainous districts of Chamoli and surrounding regions. During his site review, Shri Saleem Ahmad assessed ongoing works related to tunnels, viaducts, stations, and safety systems, while interacting with project teams to address execution challenges unique to Himalayan terrain. RVNL’s leadership emphasized adherence to safety standards.
Execution Of This Complex Project
Geological preparedness, and environmental responsibility, which are critical factors for infrastructure development in ecologically sensitive zones RVNL, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, has been entrusted with the execution of this complex project due to its proven expertise in railway infrastructure development. The CMD’s review focused on monitoring construction quality, deployment of advanced tunneling technologies, and coordination among contractors and engineers. According to officials, the project involves more than 100 kilometers of tunneling, making it one of the longest tunnel-based railway projects in India.
This aligns with RVNL’s broader mandate of delivering technically challenging projects One of the key observations during the review was the steady progress achieved despite difficult geological formations and weather constraints. The CMD acknowledged the efforts of engineers working in high-altitude conditions and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum without compromising safety. The use of modern tunnel boring methods, real-time monitoring systems, and slope stabilization measures has helped mitigate risks associated with landslides and seismic activity. These technological interventions position the Rishikesh Karnaprayag project.
Badrinath And Kedarnath Improved
As a benchmark for future Himalayan rail corridors From a strategic perspective, the rail link is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag, enhancing accessibility to pilgrimage destinations such as Badrinath and Kedarnath. Improved connectivity will not only support tourism but also facilitate faster movement of essential goods and services to remote hill districts. The CMD highlighted that once operational, the project will integrate seamlessly with other rail and road networks, contributing to holistic regional development. Similar transformational impacts have been observed in other RVNL-led projects.
