Current Affairs - National - Discussion

The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project achieved its 41st tunnel breakthrough on September 11, 2026, with the completion of the 10.847-km-long Escape Tunnel-1. The project is being developed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) under the Ministry of Railways at a total cost of ₹37,000 crore. Escape Tunnel-1 is the second-longest tunnel in the project. By September 2026, overall project progress had reached 78%, while tunnel excavation was 97% complete. The 125-km railway line includes 16 main tunnels and 12 escape tunnels and is targeted for completion by December 2029.