RVNL achieves 41st tunnel breakthrough in Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project

New Delhi: Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has achieved a major milestone in the Rishikesh-Karnprayag New Broad Gauge Rail Line Project with the final breakthrough of Escape Tunnel 1, marking the 41st tunnel breakthrough of the project.

The Rishikesh Project Implementation Unit of RVNL achieved the breakthrough on Friday, completing the entire 10.847-km stretch of Escape Tunnel 1, which is the second-longest tunnel of the project.

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The achievement is significant as the tunnel passes through challenging Himalayan geological conditions. The entire alignment traverses highly tectonised, multi-folded and extensively faulted rock masses, with widespread shearing and locally intense crushing.

According to officials, these adverse geological conditions resulted in the formation of thick mylonite zones, largely attributed to the tunnel's proximity to the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT).

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With 41 tunnel breakthroughs completed so far, the project is progressing steadily towards completion. The remaining five breakthroughs are expected to be achieved within the next year, bringing the project closer to its final goal.

The development marks another major engineering milestone for the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project and takes the Himalayan railway connectivity project a step closer to completion.