Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Tunnel: India’s Longest Transport Tunnel in Progress

SpotGenie Gyaan takes you inside India’s most ambitious rail tunnel, Tunnel No. 8 between Devprayag and Janasu. This 14.58 km conduit is not just the longest in the nation, but a feat of Himalayan engineering that paves the way for safe, fast, and year, round travel to remote Uttarakhand.

What Makes This Tunnel Special?

The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag line stretches 125 km through the Himalayas, with about 83% underground. Tunnel No. 8 alone spans 14.58 km, eclipsing prior transport tunnel records. It officially became India’s longest transport tunnel following the breakthrough in April 2025.

Engineering Behind the Feat

• Method Used: A 9.11 m TBM named “Shakti” was used for most of the digging, supplemented by NATM for complex zones.
• Project Scale: The full stretch includes 16 tunnels (total 104 km), 12 escape routes (~98 km), and 7 km of cross passages.

How They Overcame Himalayan Challenges

The alignment cuts through seismic zone IV terrain, phyllite-rich geology, and areas with water seepage. Logistics included moving heavy TBM parts over narrow mountain roads.

Impact for Uttarakhand

• Reduces travel time from 7 to ~2 hours between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag.
• Improves connectivity to pilgrimage towns like Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Gauchar.
• Creates economic, tourism, and social uplift for remote mountain regions.

In Summary

The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project is redefining mountain travel. It’s a modern marvel that promises fast, safe, and accessible rail routes in one of India’s toughest terrains.

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