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{{Short description|Railway under construction in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width =
| name = Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line
| color =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| logo_alt =
| image =
| image_width =
| image_alt =
| caption =
| type =
| system = Broad gauge
| status = Under construction
| locale = [[Uttarakhand]]
| start = {{stnlnk|Yog Nagari Rishikesh}}
| end = [[Karnaprayag]]
| stations = 12
| routes = Single track
| ridership2 =
| open =
| close =
| owner = [[Rail Vikas Nigam]]
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]
| character =
| depot =
| stock =
| linelength_km = 126
| tracklength_km = 126
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}}
| minradius_m = 440
| racksystem =
| routenumber =
| linenumber =
| electrification = 25 kV 50 Hz AC OHE
| speed_km/h = 100
| elevation_m = 1451
| website = http://www.indianrailways.gov.in
| map = {{Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}

The '''Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line''' is a 126 km long under-construction [[railway line]], connecting [[Yog Nagari Rishikesh railway station]] in [[Rishikesh]] city in the Himalayan foothills [[Sivalik Hills]] to [[Karnaprayag]] city in the [[Garhwal region]] in [[Lower Himalayan Range]] of [[Uttarakhand]] state of India. It is the main feeder route to [[Indian Railways]]' [[Char Dham Railway]] project which aims to connect the [[Char Dham]] pilgrimage shrines of [[Yamunotri]], [[Gangotri]], [[Badrinath]] and [[Kedarnath]]. As part of an [[Future of rail transport in India#Geo|Indian geostrategic initiative]] to build infrastructure along the [[Line of Actual Control|India-China border]] to discourage Chinese expansion, this rail line is of national strategic importance,<ref name="char1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.india.com/business/chardham-to-get-rail-connectivity-indian-railways-pilgrimage-linking-project-to-cost-rs-43-29-crore-2124237/|title=Chardham to get rail connectivity; Indian Railways pilgrimage linking project to cost Rs 43.29 crore|last=Dangwal|first=Sandhya|date=2017-05-12|work=India.com|access-date=2017-05-30|language=en}}</ref><ref name="char2">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/railway-minister-lays-foundation-stone-for-final-location-survey-on-char-dham-route/articleshow/58659661.cms|title=Railway minister lays foundation stone for final location survey on char dham route|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-05-30}}</ref><ref name=finet1/> which will cut down the travel time to 2 and half hours by railway from earlier 8 hours taken by the road.<ref name=railstath1>[https://www.msn.com/hi-in/news/other/uttarakhand-%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A1-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC-%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%9A-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97-125-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AC-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%9F-17-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%97/vi-AA1BP0kf?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=47cc52cd1fbc44979db595b4e6be0015&ei=43 Uttarakhand: उत्तराखंड में पहाड़ों को चीरकर बन रहा रेल मार्ग, 125 किलोमीटर लंबा रूट 17 सुरंगों से होकर गुजरेगा], msn.com, 29 March 2025.</ref>

==History==

[[Satpal Maharaj]] began a survey for the project as Minister of Railways of [[Uttarakhand]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irfca.org/docs/railway-ministers.html|title=Railway Ministers|access-date=6 April 2016|publisher=IRFCA}}</ref><ref name="rkrail">{{cite web|url=http://www.merapahadforum.com/development-issues-of-uttarakhand/proposal-for-train-till-bageshwar/msg86385/?PHPSESSID=31af99fdc9162b6cc76754ced97d0484#msg86385|title=Several Rail Projects Yet To Take Off in State}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111102/dun.htm#7|title=Rishikesh Karnprayag Project|newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|Tribune India]]|access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref>

The project's [[Cornerstone|foundation stone]] was scheduled to be laid by [[United Progressive Alliance]] chairperson [[Sonia Gandhi]] on 9 November 2011. <ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.merinews.com/article/work-on-rishikesh-karnaprayag-rail-line-to-commence-soon-satpal-maharaj/15860540.shtml|title=Work on Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line to commence soon: Satpal Maharaj|access-date=6 April 2016|publisher=meri news}}</ref> Alignment of the 126-kilometer-long railway project was completed in 2013,<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttarakhand/alignment-plan-finalised-for-rishikesh-karnaprayag-railway-line_876403.html|title=Alignment plan finalized for Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line|date=14 September 2013 |publisher=[[Zee News]]|access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref> but the project was delayed by political wrangling.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/rail-project-caught-in-unsavory-political-controversy-114031400695_1.html|title=Rail project caught in unsavory political controversy|newspaper=Business Standard India |date=14 March 2014 |publisher=business-standard|access-date=6 April 2016|last1=Prashant |first1=Shishir }}</ref>

The detailed feasibility work finally began in 2015 under the leadership of [[Narendra Modi]] led [[National Democratic Alliance]] government. Design contracts for tunnel and bridge construction were awarded in 2019. Italferr, the engineering arm of [[Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane|FS Italiane Group]], received the contract for the design and supervision of the 12-km-long section (running almost entirely through tunnels) of the Himalaya Tunnel as part of a joint venture with Swiss firm [[Lombardi Engineering|Lombardi SA]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.italferr.it/content/italferr/en/media/sala-stampa/2019/2/6/italferr-is-awarded-a-new-contract-in-india.html|title=Italferr is awarded a new contract in India|website=www.italferr.it|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> That construction began in 2018. Work on the first [[Absolute block signalling|block section]], from the Virbhadra railway station to {{stnlnk|Yog Nagari Rishikesh}}, began in June 2018 and was completed in 2020.

== Strategic importance==
{{anchor | Strategic | Significance | Importance }}

It will play a vital role in national security and the welfare of Uttarakhand,<ref name=fea1>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/coming-soon-india-s-longest-railway-tunnel-on-rishikesh-karnprayag-route/story-wS8XHEfypDEXqdmkby3aAN.html|title=Coming soon: India's longest railway tunnel on Rishikesh-Karnprayag route|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref> by reducing travel time between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag from 6-7 hours to {{frac|2|1|2}} hours.<ref name=char3/> The line will serve pilgrims and local residents, and will be able to rapidly move troops to the [[Line of Actual Control|India-China border]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/uttarakhand/rishikesh-karanprayag-rail-line-priority-project-mp/205103.html|title=Rishikesh-Karanprayag rail line priority project: MP|newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|Tribune India]]|access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref>

== Project features==
{{anchor|Rail Line Project | Project | Features }}

This {{INRConvert|16200|c}} project, with 35 bridges, and 105 km (85 percent) will run through 17 tunnels including 15.1-km [[Devprayag]]-Lachmoli tunnel which was reportedly India's longest tunnel in 2016.<ref name=char3/>

==Route==
{{anchor|Railway routes | Route }}

The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line, which begins at {{stnlnk|Yog Nagari Rishikesh}} station (385 m ) and ends at [[Karnaprayag]] station (825 m ) city,<ref name="char3"/> will have the following 12 stations (sequentially listed southwest to northwest direction) all of which are in Uttarakhand state.

* [[Dehradun district]]
** {{stnlnk|Yog Nagari Rishikesh}} in [[Rishikesh]]: since the railway line could not be extended from the [[Rishikesh railway station]] (RKSH) in the city through densely populated areas, a rail line was built from the [[Virbhadra]] station to the new [[Yog Nagari Rishikesh railway station]] (YNRK).<ref name="char3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/coming-soon-india-s-longest-railway-tunnel-on-rishikesh-karnprayag-route/story-wS8XHEfypDEXqdmkby3aAN.html|title=Coming soon: India's longest railway tunnel on Rishikesh–Karnaprayag route|date=2016-09-19|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2017-05-30|language=en}}</ref>

* [[Tehri Garhwal district]]
** Muni Ki Reti

* [[Pauri Garhwal district]]
** Shivpuri

* Tehri Garhwal district
** Manjilgaon
** Sakni
** Devprayag
** Kirtinagar

* Pauri Garhwal district
** Srinagar
** Dungripanth (Dhari devi)

* [[Rudraprayag district]]
** Dhari
** Gholtir
* [[Chamoli district]]
** Karnaprayag

==Related connectivity==

* [[Char Dham Railway]]: Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line is a feeder line to the Char Dham Railway, the later has the following 4 sub-sections:
** [[Doiwala–Dehradun–Uttarkashi–Maneri Gangotri Railway]]
*** [[Uttarkashi–Palar Yamunotri Railway]], midway fork from the Gangotri Railway
** [[Karnaprayag–Saikot–Sonprayag Kedarnath Railway]]
*** [[Saikot–Joshimath Badrinath Railway]], midway fork from the Kedarnath Railway

* [[Char Dham Highway]]: will complement the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line mostly along the same route

* [[Parvatmala]], ropeway project across India, including ropeways in some of the destinations of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line

==Status==
{{anchor|Current status | Current }}

* '''2024 Nov''': 60% of the project's budget has been utilised with 70% work completed, with 28 of the 38 planned tunnel breakthroughs completed, and the remaining 10 are scheduled for breakthroughs by March 2025, 11 stations were under-construction.<ref name=conup1>[https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-rishikesh-karnaprayag-rail-line-likely-to-operate-by-2026-end-officials-say-60-of-its-budget-utilised-so-far-3674132/ Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line likely to operate by 2026 end, officials say 60% of its budget utilised so far], Financial Express, 19 November 2024.</ref><ref name=finet1>[https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-indian-railways-rishikesh-karnaprayag-bg-rail-project-11-stations-under-construction-176-km-of-tunnel-work-completed-3615763/ Indian Railways’ Rishikesh-Karnaprayag BG rail line project: 11 stations under construction, 176 km of tunnel work completed], Financial Express, 19 Sept 2024.</ref><ref name="2024update">{{cite web | url=https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/railways/70-work-on-laying-rishikesh-karnaprayag-rail-line-completed-official/108329082 | title=70% work on laying Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line completed: Official - ET Infra }}</ref>

* '''2025 Nov''': 201 km tunneling work out of 213 completed. The earlier project completion date of December 2026 has been revised to more realistic completion date of December 2028.<ref name=compu1>[https://www.thedailyjagran.com/uttarakhand/rishikesh-karnaprayag-railway-line-project-to-be-completed-by-dec-2028-confirm-officials-40045263 Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Railway Line: Project To Be Completed By Dec 2028, Confirm Officials], Daily Jagran, accessed 27 Nov 2025.</ref>

* '''2025 Dec''':76 % physical work completed with 69% budget spent (Rs 26,841 crore out of the total estimated Rs 38,953 crore project cost).<ref>[https://ipm.mospi.gov.in/Home/ViewPdf/26?path=FlashReport_December_2025.pdf GoI MSPI Report], MSPI, Dec 2025.</ref>

==See also==
* [[Diamond Quadrilateral]] (railway project)
* [[Golden Quadrilateral]] (road project)
* [[Setu Bharatam]] (project to eliminate at-grade crossings)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Transport in India}}

{{Railways in Northern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rishikesh - Karnaprayag Railway}}
[[Category:Northern Railway zone|*]]
[[Category:Proposed railway lines in India]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Transport in Rishikesh]]

Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line - Revision history

SherleneGirardi: added new stub - done