Dehradun, Feb. 12 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday reviewed the progress of under-construction and proposed rail projects in the state and directed officials to develop escape tunnels alongside railway projects as parallel roads to enhance connectivity and future utility. Chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat, the chief minister said that arrangements should be made to ensure that escape tunnels constructed for railway safety can also serve as alternative road links. He specifically directed officials to prepare a long-term utilisation plan for the escape tunnels under the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line project and to explore the possibility of extending the rail line from Karnprayag to Bageshwar. Dhami also instructed officials to expedite work on the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line project, and called for serious consideration of alternative alignments. He further asked officials to explore the feasibility of connecting the Almora and Someshwar regions, so that a larger population can benefit from the project. The chief minister said the central government should be approached to declare the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line a national project, which would help fast-track its construction. Dhami directed officials to prepare an integrated development plan for the proposed railway stations under the Rishikesh-Karnprayag project, with the aim of developing local markets and economic hubs around these stations. He said special arrangements should be made at all under-construction stations for the sale of self-help group (SHG) products and local produce, and directed officials to promote self-employment opportunities, homestays and public welfare schemes in areas surrounding the stations. He also called for the preparation of a comprehensive roadmap for the development of villages, towns, religious sites and tourist destinations located around the railway corridors, along with appropriate redevelopment of station areas to manage future tourist inflow. Officials informed the meeting that 72.5% of work under the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line project has been completed, while 95.30% of tunnel construction has been finished....