Breakthrough in Char Dham Tunnel Enhances Connectivity and Tourism

17 Apr 2025 CW Team

A significant milestone has been achieved in improving rail and road connectivity for the Char Dham in Uttarakhand, with the completion of excavation work on the Silkyara Bend-Barkot Road tunnel from both ends. This breakthrough marks a key step forward in enhancing accessibility to the Char Dham Yatra, which attracts pilgrims from across India. The 4.531-km tunnel, part of the Char Dham Yatra development, is expected to reduce the travel distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri by 26 kilometre, offering a much more convenient route for visitors.

The two-lane, bi-directional tunnel, projected to cost approximately Rs 8.53 billion, will allow travellers to pass through it in just five minutes. Its completion is set to boost tourism and provide employment opportunities for locals. The project also includes the construction of the 14.57-km Tunnel No. 8 as part of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link, a 125-km rail project in Uttarakhand. More than 83 per cent of the alignment for the rail link passes through tunnels, involving over 213 km of tunnelling across both main and escape routes.

The breakthrough was made possible through the use of advanced technology, including a German-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) named 'Shakti,' which set a new global benchmark with its 9.11-meter diameter. The tunnel is still under construction, with the second parallel tunnel expected to be completed by July. The project is expected to be fully operational within 15-18 months. The work on the tunnel faced significant challenges, including the rescue of 41 workers who were trapped for 17 days following a landslide in November 2023. Despite the hardships, many of these workers continue to contribute to the tunnel's completion.

News source: Daily Pioneer

Real Estate

26 Jun 2026

AGM Vijaylaxmi launches Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark

AGM Vijaylaxmi Group has launched Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark, a mixed-use commercial development in Goregaon East, Mumbai. The project includes contemporary office spaces and a high-street retail component designed to support businesses, retailers and professionals.Located along the Western Express Highway, Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark is planned as a G+25-storey commercial tower. It offers office spaces ranging from 545 sq ft to 3,200 sq ft, with a 3.60 metre floor-to-floor height aimed at improving spatial comfort, natural light and operational efficiency.The project features a high-street retail boulevard ..

Manglam Group to Develop Sheraton Hotel in Jaipur

Manglam Group has signed an agreement with Marriott International to develop a Sheraton hotel on the Jaipur–Ajmer Highway in Jaipur. The project will feature 220 keys and is being developed with an investment of around Rs 3.5 billion across more than 300,000 sq ft.The hotel marks Manglam Group’s third collaboration with Marriott International and forms part of its Rs 10 billion hospitality investment roadmap. The agreement was signed by Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Group and CEO, Manglam Spa and Resorts, and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding Greater China, Marriott Interna..

India Warehousing Show 2026 opens at YashoBhoomi

India's warehousing, logistics, and supply chain ecosystem came together as the 15th edition of India Warehousing Show (IWS) 2026 opened at YashoBhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi on June 25 (Thursday). Organised by RX India, the three-day event will run from 25-27 June 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, and supply chain professionals under one roof. It also features a two-day knowledge conference that will run alongside the exhibition. Inaugurated by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary - Logistics, DPIIT..