The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail line, one of Uttarakhand’s most important infrastructure projects, is now expected to reach Karnaprayag by December 2028. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has fixed this new deadline after the original 2026 target could not be achieved due to slow progress in tunnel construction and repeated delays caused by natural challenges in the Himalayan terrain.
The project holds major strategic importance as it will connect the Garhwal districts directly to the national railway network and also support easier access for Char Dham pilgrims. RVNL has fast-tracked construction work across tunnels and stations to meet the revised timeline.
Two stations—Virbhadra and Yog Nagri Rishikesh—are already operational. Construction at Shivpuri and Byasi stations is underway. Technical tenders have been completed for Devprayag, Janasu, Maletha, and Srinagar stations under Package-2, while financial tenders are awaited. Under Package-3, station construction at Dhari Devi, Tilni, Gholtir, and Gauchar will be taken up at a cost of ₹126.16 crore. Tendering for the project’s biggest station at Karnaprayag, which will have 26 rail lines, is also in progress.
A major pending challenge remains the breakthrough of three tunnels, where a total of six breakthroughs (main and escape tunnels) are required. Around 10 km of tunnelling work is still left, covering stretches from Dhalwala to Neer Gaddu, Kaudiyala to Shivmurti near Teen Dhara, and Narkota to Gholtir. All other tunnels on the route have already been completed.
Project Snapshot
- Total Cost: ₹16,216 crore
- Work Started: 2019
- Original Completion Target: 2026
- Revised Target: December 2028
- Total Length: 126 km
- Tunnels: 16 (105 km of the route is tunnel-based)
- Longest Tunnel: 14.08 km (between Devprayag and Janasu)
- Shortest Tunnel: 200 m (between Sewai and Karnaprayag)
- Stations: 13 (Virbhadra, Yog Nagri Rishikesh, Shivpuri, Byasi, Devprayag, Janasu, Maletha, Srinagar, Dhari Devi, Rudraprayag, Gholtir, Gauchar, Karnaprayag)
According to O.P. Malgudi, Deputy General Manager (Civil), RVNL, efforts are being made to complete the entire project within the revised timeline. Construction work on two more stations has begun, while tender processes for the remaining stations are progressing.
