Dehradun : The new Broad Gauge (BG) Railway line between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag is an important developmental project in the state of Uttarakhand. The objective of providing Rail link between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag is for facilitating easy access to pilgrimage centers situated in the state of Uttarakhand and to connect new trade centers along with development of backward areas and to serve the population living in the area. It is expected that such a link will result in a considerable reduction in travel time and cost. This rail link will open up opportunities for industrial development, cottage industry in the area, boost the economy and tourism prospects in the state. The proposed railway line will connect important towns like Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Gauchar and Karnaprayag through 5 districts of Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Chamoli.
Final Location Survey (FLS): Considering the topographical constraints and challenges, FLS made use of latest technology and took the benefit of the expertise of international consultants, institutes of repute and eminent experts in the fields of tunnelling, bridges, railway etc. at the planning stage itself.
In view of the importance of the project, the work of proof consultancy was given to IIT-Roorkee, a premier institute of repute in the country with Director, IIT Roorkee heading the team.
To overcome constraints of accessibility imposed by rugged topography and to reduce the time frame for the FLS work, State of the Art surveying technique based on satellite imagery was used. Highest resolution stereo satellite imagery available in the world for civilian use with 50cm resolution captured by US World View-2 (WV-2) Satellite were used to develop aA high accuracy (≈2m) Digital Elevation Model (DEM), much superior to Google Earth, in a corridor of 2.5km either side of alignment finalized in RECT Survey.
The construction of railway line in rugged Himalayan topography with complex geology will pose risks/uncertainties and technical challenges which will demand necessary safeguards at the initial design stage itself to minimize risks and difficulties later during construction and operation stages. With these considerations, RVNL appointed a committee of Experts (EC) of international repute in the field of railway line construction in hilly areas. The Expert Committee comprised three eminent Experts – (i) Sh. M Ravindra, (Ex-Chairman Railway Board) Railway expert (ii) Dr. J Golshar of M/s Geoconsult Austria, International tunnel expert and (iii) Dr. V K Raina, International bridge expert. The EC carried out field visits and gave its recommendations which were incorporated in the selection of alignment.
With a view to limit 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.
Final alignment has 12 new stations, 16 main tunnels and 19 major bridges covering 5 districts of the state of Uttarakhand and runs along Alaknanda river covering major habitation: