India’s longest rail tunnel, a 14.57 km stretch between Devprayag and Janasu in Uttarakhand, has been completed ahead of schedule as part of the 125-km Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Link Project, executed by Rail Vikas Nigam.

Originally targeted for commissioning in December 2026, the milestone was achieved on 16 April, 2025, thanks to the perseverance of tunnel boring machine (TBM) operators Baljinder Singh and Ram Avtar Singh Rana. Facing severe Himalayan conditions, the operators overcame a massive landslide by pushing the German-made TBM “Shakti” to full power. Working continuously with support from over 200 engineers and workers, they cleared the debris in nearly 10 days.

The project also deployed another TBM, “Shiv,” for the 13.09 km parallel downline tunnel, with breakthroughs achieved in June 2025. The effort set a world record by advancing 790 metres in 31 days. Approx. 30 km of tunnelling, including escape routes and cross-passages, has been executed, with 70 percent completed using TBMs. This engineering feat marks a significant achievement in Himalayan railway construction.