- By Akansha Pandey
- Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:43 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The long-awaited Chardham Rail Project in Uttarakhand is set to become a reality soon. During a Lok Sabha session, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line has been approved. Furthermore, survey work for extending rail connectivity to the remaining Dhams—Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, has been completed.
Investment Of Rs 40,384 Crore For Uttarakhand Rail Network
Responding to inquiries from Pauri MP Anil Baluni and Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt, the Railway Minister stated that three new railway lines, spanning a total length of 216 kilometers, have been sanctioned for Uttarakhand. The estimated cost for these projects is approximately Es 40,384 crore.
The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Line: A Strategic Gateway
Of this, a 16-kilometer section has already been operationalised, and an expenditure of Rs 19,898 crore has been spent till March 2025. The Minister emphasised that the 125-kilometer Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line serves as the cornerstone of the Chardham connectivity initiative.
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This railway route will pass through the districts of Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Chamoli. It aims to link significant religious and tourist destinations, such as Devprayag and Karnaprayag, with Rishikesh and the national capital, Delhi.
Technical Vigilance In High-Seismic Zones
The Minister also noted that the proposed expansion route passes near the Main Central Thrust, a highly seismically active zone in the Himalayas. Consequently, rigorous technical precautions are being implemented to address these geological challenges.