L&T under Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), has achieved the final tunnel breakthrough for Package 2 of the Rishikesh Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Line.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), under Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), has achieved the final tunnel breakthrough for Package 2 of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Line. This package included 26.6 km of tunnel excavation, 28 km of tunnel lining, two railway bridges, one road bridge, and embankments
The twin tunnels under L&T carved through some of the most challenging Himalayan terrain were completed despite frequent obstacles such as complex rock strata, groundwater ingress, and extreme weather. The team employed the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) aided by a state-of-the-art TBM named “Shakti” (9.11 m diameter) which achieved an average excavation rate of 413 m per month over 10.4 km
L&T’s Whole-Time Director, SV Desai highlighted the project as a testament to India’s engineering prowess and strong on-site collaboration, crediting planners, engineers, and workers alike for overcoming geologically sensitive zones
This breakthrough is part of the larger 125 km Rishikesh–Karnaprayag corridor, a strategic feeder to the Char Dham Railway. Once completed, the rail line will slash travel time between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag from seven hours by road to around two hours enhancing connectivity for pilgrims and driving socio-economic growth in Uttarakhand.
While Package 2 is now complete, work is ongoing on Package 4 which includes India’s longest railway tunnel (14.5 km upline, 13.1 km downline). The corridor also comprises a remarkable 17 main tunnels and 35 bridges. The entire line is scheduled to be operational by late 2026.
In line with environmental compliance, the National Green Tribunal granted permission to utilize tunnel excavation debris, following a ₹2.03 crore penalty for eco-restoration at Chopra Gadhera .
This milestone firmly establishes India’s capability in executing high-tech infrastructure in extreme terrain and sets the stage for transformative connectivity and economic benefits across the Himalayan region.
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