Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/DEVPRAYAG
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a program organized at Janasu (Pauri Garhwal) on the breakthrough of Tunnel No. T-8 and T-8M under the Rishikesh-Karnprayag Rail Project. Later they jointly inspected the tunnel site, reviewed the construction progress, and obtained detailed information from the officials. Vaishnav praised the pace of work and highlighted the project’s importance in connecting the Himalayan region. CM Dhami said this ambitious rail line will boost tourism, employment, and connectivity in Uttarakhand. The event marked a major milestone in the ongoing rail project.
This tunnel is a crucial part of the 125 km long Rishikesh-Karnprayag broad gauge rail project, being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). Out of the total project, 105 km is being constructed inside tunnels, including 16 major tunnels. The successful breakthrough marks a significant milestone in connecting the remote hilly regions of Uttarakhand to the country’s rail network.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav expressed pride in this engineering feat, congratulating the entire team for setting a new global benchmark with the use of advanced Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology — a first in India’s hilly terrain. The Minister said this breakthrough signifies not just infrastructural development, but also paves the way for better connectivity, faster transportation, and new economic opportunities for the people of Uttarakhand.
He informed that with this rail project, the travel time from Rishikesh to Karnprayag will be reduced from seven hours to just two, ensuring year-round access to remote areas and boosting tourism, trade, and regional development. The Rishikesh-Karnprayag line will also strengthen connectivity to major towns including Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Gauchar, and Karnprayag.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami termed this breakthrough a historic moment for Uttarakhand. He emphasized that this project, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given a new direction and momentum to infrastructure growth in the state. He highlighted that the successful completion of this tunnel despite the tough geographical conditions reflects India’s engineering capabilities.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that the survey for the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line has been completed and further steps will soon follow, adding yet another chapter in Uttarakhand’s connectivity revolution.
