Mumbai, Sept. 2 -- Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) said the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag new line is targeted for completion by December 2029 and is being developed at a cost of Rs 370 bn.
The 125-km-long project is intended to strengthen rail connectivity in Uttarakhand and reduce travel time to the Himalayan region, and RVNL reported steady progress across tunnelling, bridgework and access infrastructure.
RVNL reported overall progress of 78 per cent and indicated that about 97 per cent of tunnel excavation has been completed, reflecting accelerated tunnelling works on the route.
The project is expected to support the Char Dham pilgrimage corridor, improve border connectivity, boost tourism and help local economies by facilitating faster movement of people and goods.
The line was sanctioned in the Union Budget for 2010-11 and passes through Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, linking Devprayag and Karnaprayag with Rishikesh and the national capital.
The alignment requires extensive tunnelling, comprising 16 main tunnels spanning 104 km and 12 escape tunnels covering around 98 km, of which 101 km and 95 km respectively have been completed to date.
To facilitate works, eight access roads with a total length of five km have been constructed and 11 of 19 major bridges planned under the project have been finished while work continues on the remainder.
RVNL said remaining tasks focus on bridge construction, signalling and commissioning activities ahead of the December 2029 target and that teams remain mobilised across sites.
On completion the link is expected to open a new rail corridor into the Himalaya and provide a reliable alternative to long road journeys for pilgrims and residents.
The project continues to be monitored by the Ministry of Railways and will proceed in phases as complex civil works are finalised.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.