1 year ago
India's Longest Railway Tunnel: Technology and Construction
Imagine a really long tunnel being built through a mountain!
That's what's happening in Uttarakhand, India.
It's the longest railway tunnel in the country, and it's called T-8.
To dig this tunnel, engineers are using a giant machine called 'Shakti,' which is like a giant drill.
It's used to cut through rock.
But there are some tricky spots where they use a different method called NATM.
This involves drilling and blasting or mechanical excavation.
Once the tunnel is dug, they put in concrete to make it strong and safe.
It's expected to be finished by the end of 2026, connecting Rishikesh and Karnaprayag, and making travel easier.
India's longest railway tunnel is under construction between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag in Uttarakhand.
The 14.57km tunnel, named T-8, is part of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link Project.
The project uses a German-imported Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named 'Shakti' and the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).
TBM 'Shakti' has a diameter of 9.11m and excavated at an average rate of 413 meters per month.
The tunnel is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
- Who
- Engineers and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
- What
- Construction of India's longest railway tunnel, T-8.
- Where
- Uttarakhand, India (between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag)
- When
- Expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
- Why
- To facilitate railway connectivity and transportation in the region.
Key facts
- Tunnel Name
- T-8
- Length
- 14.57km
- Location
- Uttarakhand, India
- Connecting
- Rishikesh and Karnaprayag
- TBM Name
- 'Shakti'
- Project
- Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link
- Expected Operational Date
- End of 2026




