Karnprayag Rail Project To Witness Plantation Of Six Lakh Trees

Work is in the full swing for the 125-km long rail line amid the hills and rivers.

The project will not only reduce the travel time between Rishikesh and Karnprayag but also result in the plantation of about six lakh trees as part of the compensatory afforestation.

The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the railways public sector undertaking, responsible for executing the multi-crore project, has paid Rs 15.16 crore for acquiring 584 hectares land for compensatory afforestation.

Amid the challenges, the railways has acquired a total of 951 hectares of land for the construction of the new broad gauge line in the rugged Himalayan topography with complex geology.

The construction of 17 tunnels has generated 1.5 cubic metres of muck which was excavated during the tunnelling work, according to the site engineer. 

The work which has posed risks/uncertainties and technical challenges also demand necessary safeguards to minimise risks and difficulties during construction and operation stages.

All necessary safeguards have been undertaken to ensure risks are minimised at the site, said the site engineer.

Considering the risk factors, RVNL had appointed a committee of experts of international repute in the field of railway line construction in hilly areas.

The expert committee comprising eminent tunnel and bridge experts carried out field visits and gave its recommendations which were incorporated in the selection of alignment.

Besides 17 tunnels there would be 18 major bridges to be part of the 125 km long Rishikesh-Karnprayag new broad gauge line project.

With a view to limiting the impediments which might arise during project implementation and to have inputs from the Uttarakhand government, RVNL held consultations with state authorities to discuss take off alternatives at Rishikesh and other issues like land acquisition and forest clearances.

The Rishikesh-Karanprayag rail project is considered to be of national strategic importance. The rail line is also part of an Indian geostrategic initiative to build infrastructure along the India-China border.

In case of any untoward incident, the government will be able to rapidly move troops to the India-China border.

The ambitious rail project is also crucial for connecting Chardham in Uttarakhand for which the work is being done at a rapid pace.

Once completed, it will open the doors of the economic and social progress of the state, and create employment opportunities.