Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on recently announced that the first train in the hill region of the state will begin operations in October 2026, marking a historic step in rail connectivity for the Himalayas. The announcement follows a major breakthrough in the under-construction Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project, with over 26 kilometres of tunnels successfully completed.
Citing information received from the Union Railway Ministry, CM Dhami said that the project, which is being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), is progressing rapidly. “The first phase of the project is nearing completion, and a 30–35 km stretch will likely be operational by October 2026,” he said. Though the entire project spans 125 kilometres, the initial service will cover roughly a fourth of the route.
Dhami added that Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had informed him that this milestone would pave the way for laying railway tracks and trial runs. The successful completion of 26.6 km of tunnels was achieved on June 6 by Larsen & Toubro under RVNL. This breakthrough brings the rail link almost 30 km from the starting point at Rishikesh.
The completed tunnel section is split into two parts of 13.3 km each, with a river bridge connecting them between Shivpuri and Vyasi, en route to Devprayag. According to L&T Senior Manager Ajay Pratap Singh, the tunnels were constructed through complex mountainous terrain known for its seismic sensitivity. He said a 15-km-long tunnel, which would be the world’s longest of its kind, is also proposed under the project.
“This achievement reflects the skill and resilience of our engineers and workers who have delivered progress in some of India’s most challenging geological zones,” Singh added.
In addition to infrastructure updates, CM Dhami also spoke about the potential national adoption of Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He stated that Gujarat and several North Eastern states are exploring Uttarakhand’s UCC as a model for implementation.
“Our UCC model was among a few selected presentations during the recent Chief Ministers’ meeting chaired by the Prime Minister. It received widespread appreciation. Gujarat has already formed a draft committee, and several North Eastern states have shown interest,” Dhami said.
He emphasized that Uttarakhand’s UCC has not only set a precedent but is likely to benefit other states aiming to create a uniform legal framework for all citizens.
