The breakthrough of a 9.46 km escape tunnel between Sumerpur and Narkota on the 125 km Rishikesh-Karnprayag new broad gauge railway line in Uttarakhand has been achieved. This tunnel is part of a larger project by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) to construct a new broad gauge line. The escape tunnel...
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was constructed by RVNL and PMC (Messrs AECOM India Private Limited) and is a crucial component of the project, as it provides a safe exit route in case of emergencies. The tunnel alignment passes through a low overburden area near Rudraprayag, requiring controlled blasting and mechanical excavation underneath houses. The escape tunnel was constructed in four different sections, with the breakthrough occurring at 11:35 PM on Wednesday between Sumerpur and Narkota. The main tunnel is expected to be completed soon.