70% of Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line complete
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

70% of Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line complete

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)

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)

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

CPCL crosses $10 million revenue milestone

Chaitanya Projects Consultancy (CPCL), a leading infrastructure and engineering consultancy, has surpassed $10 million in annual revenue for FY 2024–25, marking a five-year compound annual growth rate of 28.2 per cent—well above the industry average. Established in 2004, CPCL has delivered over 300 projects across highways, bridges, urban infrastructure, water, transport, and environmental sectors. Its achievements include over 600 km of six-lane highways, 2,000 km of national highways, and 100 major bridges. “Our goal has always been to improve India’s infrastructure,” sai..

Next Story
Resources

KPIL secures new orders worth Rs 37.89 billion

Kalpataru Projects International Ltd (KPIL), a major EPC player in power transmission and civil infrastructure, has secured new orders worth approximately Rs 37.89 billion along with its international subsidiaries. The orders include a significant contract in the Buildings and Factories (B&F) segment in India, marking KPIL’s largest B&F order to date. The project involves the development of over 12 million sq ft of residential space with supporting infrastructure, awarded on a design-build basis. Additionally, the company has won new transmission and distribution (T&D) order..

Next Story
Real Estate

Apartment loading rises to 40 per cent in top cities

Driven by rising demand for premium amenities, the average apartment loading across India’s top seven cities has reached 40 per cent in Q1 2025, up from 31 per cent in 2019, according to ANAROCK Research. The loading factor, or the area paid for beyond the usable carpet area, covers common spaces such as lobbies, staircases, and clubhouses. Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) continues to lead with the highest loading at 43 per cent. Bengaluru saw the sharpest jump, from 30 per cent in 2019 to 41 per cent in Q1 2025. Chennai recorded the lowest average loading at 36 per cent. “Sixty..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?