On April 16, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw celebrated a major milestone in Uttarakhand. He watched as workers completed India’s longest rail tunnel at Janasu. The tunnel, which is 14.57 kilometers long, connects the towns of Devprayag and Janasu and is part of a 125-kilometer rail project called the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link. This special day also marks the anniversary of rail service in India, which started on April 16, 1853.
Vaishnaw and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami went 3.5 kilometers into the tunnel to see a boring machine, called ‘Shakti’, break through the last layer of rock. The project is managed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a government company. The tunnel is made up of two tracks, with the second tunnel expected to be finished by July.
This construction used a special boring machine that has never been used before in hilly areas of India. It worked quickly, completing this part of the tunnel at an average speed of 413 meters each month, making it one of the fastest in the world!
RVNL’s Chief, Pradeep Gaur, said this breakthrough is important for improving travel in India’s hilly states. The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project will connect important towns, making it easier for people to visit places like Devprayag and Rudraprayag. The project involves digging more than 213 kilometers of tunnels, which is more than 83% of the total distance.
Building this tunnel had many challenges, like bringing in heavy parts through narrow mountain roads and working in areas at risk of earthquakes. Once completed, the project will help reduce travel time and boost tourism in Uttarakhand. It’s also an important step towards connecting the Char Dham pilgrimage sites by rail.
Leave a Reply