India’s railway infrastructure, the breakthrough of the Janasu Tunnel — the country’s longest railway tunnel spanning 14.57 kilometres — was completed on 16 April along the ambitious Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail corridor.
The achievement signals a major stride in bridging the steep and fragile Himalayan terrain with modern, sustainable transport systems. This tunnel, part of the 125-kilometre strategic railway line under construction in Uttarakhand, holds transformative potential for the state’s connectivity, tourism, and regional economy. Constructed using advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) imported from Germany, the Janasu Tunnel comprises twin tubes and has been designated as T-8 and T-8M. Unlike the other 15 tunnels in the project, which are being developed using traditional drill-and-blast methods, this tunnel’s execution underscores a leap in engineering innovation, precision, and safety — critical in an ecologically sensitive and geologically challenging zone like the Himalayas. A vertical shaft positioned 1.5 km from Janasu further supported excavation logistics and added a layer of engineering complexity to the build.
The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project, expected to fundamentally alter mobility across five districts — Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli — will bring rail access to some of the most remote corners of Uttarakhand. Once completed, the line will seamlessly connect pilgrimage and tourism destinations with the plains, drastically reducing travel time while promoting climate-friendly travel alternatives in a region already grappling with the impact of road congestion and fragile slopes. With tunnels comprising nearly 84 percent of the entire route, the line is one of the most tunnel-intensive railways under development in India. It includes 16 mainline tunnels stretching over 105 km and 12 escape tunnels covering another 98 km. Additionally, 19 major bridges are being constructed along the route to span river valleys and gorges. The project also includes 12 new railway stations, each of which will enhance regional accessibility and economic integration in a state where terrain has long hindered infrastructure growth.
Speaking at the Janasu site, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the breakthrough as a historic milestone, noting the coincidence of the date with the anniversary of India’s first passenger train journey between Bori Bunder and Thane in 1853. He emphasised that the deployment of such advanced technology in tunnel construction will serve as a new benchmark for future infrastructure endeavours across the country. Uttarakhand Chief Minister echoed the sentiment, stating that the long-standing aspiration to bring railways to the hills is now materialising under focused leadership. This infrastructure push is not merely about laying tracks. It is a blueprint for climate-resilient, socially inclusive development in the Indian Himalayas. By offering a safer, faster, and lower-carbon transport option, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag line aligns closely with national goals of sustainable mobility and net-zero carbon transitions. While challenges in executing such a massive project in fragile geographies persist, the Janasu Tunnel breakthrough stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when ambition meets precision engineering and policy vision.
India Builds Longest Rail Tunnel in Hills
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