Himalayan Breakthrough: India's Longest Rail Tunnel Completed

A major milestone in Indian infrastructure has been achieved with the completion of the country’s longest rail tunnel—a 14.57 km stretch between Devprayag and Janasu in Uttarakhand. The tunnel is part of the 125-km Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Rail Link Project, executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).

Originally slated for commissioning in December 2026, the breakthrough was achieved ahead of schedule on April 16, 2025, due to the exceptional efforts of tunnel boring machine (TBM) operators Baljinder Singh and Ram Avtar Singh Rana. Working under extreme Himalayan conditions, the team overcame a major landslide by operating the German-made TBM "Shakti" at full capacity. Supported by over 200 engineers and workers, the debris was cleared within just 10 days.

A second TBM, “Shiv,” was deployed for the 13.09 km parallel downline tunnel, achieving breakthrough in June 2025. Notably, the project set a world record by advancing 790 metres in just 31 days.

To date, approximately 30 km of tunnelling—including escape routes and cross-passages—has been completed, with 70% executed using TBM technology. This engineering feat marks a significant advancement in Himalayan rail construction and sets new benchmarks for infrastructure development in challenging terrains.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.