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