Dehradun: The 14.57 km-long rail tunnel between Devprayag and Janasu in Uttarakhand has been completed ahead of schedule. This tunnel forms a critical segment of the 125-km Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Link Project, executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), and is scheduled for commissioning by December 2026.
Record-Breaking Tunnel Completion
Officials said the successful completion of India’s longest rail tunnel in the Himalayas is attributed to the perseverance of two tunnel boring machine (TBM) operators working under challenging conditions. Their efforts ensured that tunneling proceeded efficiently despite the difficult terrain and harsh climatic conditions.
TBM Technology Deployed in the Himalayas
L&T officials highlighted that this is the first time TBMs have been deployed for a railway project in the Himalayan region. Previously, such machines were largely used only for hydroelectric tunneling projects. For the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag link, TBMs were used for approximately 70 percent of the tunneling work.
Tunnel Work and Construction Methods
The project involves around 30 km of tunneling, including main tunnels, escape routes, cross-passages, and niches. The remaining 30 percent of the work is being executed using the drill-and-blast method, also known as the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). This combination of methods makes the project one of India’s most challenging infrastructure endeavors in mountainous terrain.
Strategic Significance
The tunnel is expected to significantly improve rail connectivity in Uttarakhand, enhancing passenger and freight movement. It will also contribute to the overall success of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Link Project, which aims to strengthen transportation infrastructure in the Himalayan region.
About RVNL
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited is a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways tasked with implementing railway infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and support India’s transportation network growth.
