The Indian Railways has achieved a major milestone in the development of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag new rail line, poised to transform transportation in Uttarakhand's sacred land, Devbhoomi. The construction reaching 70% completion; this ambitious project holds the promise of delivering a swifter, more efficient, and eco-friendly mode of travel compared to traditional road transport.

Project Milestone 70% of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line construction is completed. The Indian Railways targets its operational launch by 2025, heralding the commencement of passenger services along this vital route. Engineered to endure for 99 years, this rail line is set to drastically cut travel time and boost connectivity across the region.

Enhanced Efficiency Traveling from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag by train will soon take merely 1.5 to 2 hours, a remarkable improvement over the current 4.45 to 5-hour journey by road (NH-58). This reduction in travel time is not just about convenience but also promises significant annual savings of approximately Rs 20 million in fuel expenses. Moreover, the rail line's implementation is poised to mitigate vehicular emissions, fostering environmental conservation in the mountainous landscape.

Key Infrastructure Highlights Spanning 125 kilometers, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line features over 105 kilometers of tunneling and the construction of 18 major railway bridges. This extensive tunnel network ensures minimal disturbance to the natural terrain while providing a secure and efficient passage through the challenging topography.

Economic and Societal Implications Employment Opportunities The construction and upkeep of the rail line present a significant avenue for job creation. Presently, around 6,400 workers are actively engaged in the project. Upon its operational phase, the project is anticipated to generate 450 permanent employment positions in maintenance and operations, besides indirectly supporting approximately 1,800 individuals across various sectors like tourism, markets, and transportation between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag.

Environmental Advantages By significantly reducing vehicular traffic on the road, the rail line aims to curtail environmental degradation. On average, 645 passenger car units commute daily between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag, consuming approximately 16,125 liters of fuel and incurring costs of around Rs 294.3 million annually. There is an estimated 60% shift of passengers and freight from road to rail upon the rail line's completion, there's a promising reduction in fuel consumption and associated expenses.

Facilitating Char Dham Pilgrimage Traversing through the districts of Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project will greatly enhance connectivity for pilgrims visiting the Char Dham sites?Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath?providing them with a faster and more convenient mode of transportation.

(Source: Delhi Breakings)