India's longest rail tunnel completed in Uttarakhand

New Delhi: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced a breakthrough in the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag broad gauge rail line project, as the tunnel boring machine completed excavation through India’s longest transportation tunnel, spanning 14.5 kilometres.

“This covers a major section of the railway project from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag. It is a complex undertaking as it involves the parallel construction of two tunnels,” Vaishnaw said.

The much-anticipated railway line, a flagship project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to be operational by December 2026.

The project aims to improve access to Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage destinations while boosting tourism and strengthening the state’s economy.

Spanning 125 km, the rail line holds religious, cultural and economic importance for Uttarakhand, connecting major cities such as Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Gauchar and Karnaprayag.