- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:45 AM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), along with completing the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project on time, is preparing to execute the proposed Gangotri-Yamunotri rail line as a game-changer. Tunnels to be built parallel to the railway line in the mountains could also be used as road tunnels.
For this purpose, the railway will construct future tunnels in a way that allows passenger vehicles to pass through them. In a marathon meeting that lasted for about nine hours, the newly appointed Chairman and Managing Director of RVNL, Salim Ahmed, deliberated with officials regarding current and proposed future plans.
The CMD made this statement during a review meeting of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project. The RVNL CMD arrived at the organisation's headquarters in Rishikesh at around 9 AM on Monday. An inspection of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project up to Devprayag was also on his schedule. The meeting that followed continued until late in the evening.
The CMD stated that the tunnel projects could prove to be a game-changer for the overall development of the state. Deliberations with officials took place during the marathon meeting. During the meeting, instructions were given to ensure the project is completed before December 2028.
The CMD emphasised that mutual coordination is essential for this. The possibility of using railway tunnels as road tunnels was also discussed, which would provide faster, safer, and smoother transit for vehicles travelling by road. The railway plans to construct its future tunnels in a way that allows passenger vehicles to pass through them.
An escape tunnel is built for tunnels over three km long. On the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line, every tunnel longer than three kilometres is accompanied by an escape tunnel. These escape tunnels can also be connected to the road network. A lengthy discussion was held on how the tunnels in the current project could be utilised for road traffic and how this concept could be integrated with the road network in the future Yamunotri-Gangotri rail project.
Rail services for Gangotri-Yamunotri are proposed to operate from Doiwala station. The timeline, cost, and other factors related to the plan to widen the tunnels were discussed. During the monsoon, roads on the Char Dham Yatra route often close due to landslides and debris.
These tunnels are proposed as an alternative route. A meeting was also held with foreign experts. The CMD held lengthy discussions with foreign experts involved in all four packages and with representatives from the construction companies.
He stated that any environmental damage caused during the project's construction would be compensated for by developing green areas and carrying out extensive tree planting. Around 14,000 trees have been felled for the Karnaprayag rail line. Around 14,000 trees have been felled for the Karnaprayag rail line.
To compensate for this, funds have been provided to the Forest Department under the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) fund to plant twice that number of saplings. In addition to this, several other related works are also in progress. RVNL's GM Hemendra Kumar, Pamir Arora, Sumit Jain, and AGM OP Malgudi were among those present at the meeting.