Indian Railways' ambitious Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line project is steadily advancing through the challenging Himalayan terrain, promising a significant upgrade in regional connectivity and infrastructure for Uttarakhand.

According to an official update from the Ministry of Railways on July 30, 2025, the project has achieved key construction milestones. A total of 13 main-line tunnels and nine escape tunnels have been completed. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that using eight Adits, horizontal access tunnels, has helped accelerate excavation work, particularly in longer tunnel sections. Out of the total 213 kilometers of planned tunneling, 199 kilometers have already been excavated.

A standout innovation in this project is using a tunnel boring machine (TBM), the first for Indian Railways. The TBM is being deployed on Tunnel T-8, which stretches 14.8 kilometers, marking a significant technological advancement in tunneling operations. Officials state that this method ensures enhanced safety, faster progress, and reduced environmental impact compared to conventional blasting techniques.

The 125-kilometer rail line, connecting Rishikesh to Karnaprayag, spans five districts in Uttarakhand. Once operational, it will facilitate seamless travel to key pilgrimage and tourist locations such as Devprayag and Karnaprayag. The line is also expected to reduce travel time from Delhi and other northern cities, boosting tourism and local economic development.

The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag project is part of the Indian government's broader strategy to improve transportation networks in remote and strategic regions. It is seen as a key enabler of the Char Dham project, aimed at improving access to major Hindu pilgrimage sites.