Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line achieves a big milestone: First tunnel breakthrough achieved at Dhalwala

The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project in Uttarakhand reached a construction milestone on Friday as the first escape tunnel being built at Dhalwala in Tehri achieved a breakthrough, officials said. The two ends of the tunnel were connected during the operation, prompting officials, engineers and the technical team at the site to applaud the achievement.

The breakthrough comes as work on the 125-km railway project continues across the difficult terrain of mountainous Uttarakhand. Tunnel construction is among the key components of the project because of the geographical challenges involved.

10-km escape tunnel connects Dhalwala with Neer Gaddu

Project Manager Nishith Sharma said the 10-km escape tunnel between Dhalwala and Neer Gaddu has now achieved a breakthrough.


He said construction is moving ahead according to technical standards and required safety protocols. Around 1,000 personnel are working round-the-clock as part of efforts to speed up the project.

The completion of the tunnel breakthrough marks another step in the ongoing construction of the railway link, which involves extensive tunnel work through the state's mountainous terrain.

22 of 28 tunnels completed

Deputy General Manager (Civil) OP Malgudi said the project is aimed at improving transport infrastructure in Uttarakhand.

"The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project is not merely a plan to lay a railway line but an ambitious initiative designed to give a new direction to the transport infrastructure of mountainous Uttarakhand."

The 125-km project includes 28 tunnels. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited has completed 22 of these tunnels, Malgudi said.

The latest breakthrough at Dhalwala adds to the progress being made on the tunnel construction work that forms a major part of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project.

(Source: PTI)