Project Profile: Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Railway Line

The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Railway Line is a strategic 125 km broad-gauge infrastructure project by Indian Railways, engineered to establish critical connectivity through the challenging terrain of the Garhwal Himalayas. This profile details the technical specifications, construction status, and strategic objectives of this landmark project, which features one of the most extensive tunneling networks in Indian railway history.

Technical Specifications

The project’s alignment traverses five districts of Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli. The design includes 12 stations, with key stops at Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Gauchar. The primary engineering challenge is the geology of the Lesser Himalayas, characterized by complex rock formations including quartzites, dolomites, and phylites, located within a high-seismic-activity zone.

A defining feature of the project is its extensive tunneling, which totals 105.47 km across 17 main tunnels, constituting approximately 84% of the entire route. The longest tunnel spans 15.1 km. Construction primarily utilizes the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) due to the variable geological conditions. To ensure safety and operational efficiency, a 9.8 km escape tunnel is also under construction. The project further involves the erection of 35 bridges, navigating the region’s deep gorges and rivers, including a major steel girder bridge at Devprayag.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic National Importance: Provides all-weather connectivity to the Char Dham pilgrimage sites (Badrinath and Kedarnath), significantly enhancing access for tourism, trade, and defence logistics in a strategic border state.
• Benchmark in Himalayan Engineering: The project sets a new precedent for railway construction in high-altitude, seismically active regions, employing advanced tunneling and bridge-building technologies to overcome extreme topographical and geological challenges.
• Regional Economic Catalyst: By reducing travel time between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag from 7 hours to just over 2 hours, the line is poised to stimulate significant economic growth, lower transportation costs, and foster development in remote areas of Uttarakhand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the opening date for the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line?
While the initial target was 2025, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line is now expected to be fully operational by December 2026. The project is in an advanced stage of construction, with significant progress made on its extensive tunnel and bridge networks.

Who is building the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line?
The project is being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) on behalf of Indian Railways. Major construction work is handled by leading engineering firms including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), and Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL).