Pilgrims travelling from Delhi-NCR to Uttarakhand’s Char Dham region may soon have a faster and more convenient travel option, with two major rail projects expected to improve connectivity to the Himalayan state.
According to an NDTV report, the proposed Meerut-Rishikesh Namo Bharat corridor, along with the under-construction Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line, could reduce travel time for visitors heading towards pilgrimage centres such as Kedarnath and Badrinath.
The projects are expected to provide a major boost to pilgrimage tourism and improve transport connectivity between the National Capital Region and Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region.
Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Railway Project Reaches 75% Completion
The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway project has reached a significant construction milestone, with approximately 75% of the work completed.
The railway line will cover around 127 kilometres and has been designed to operate through the challenging Himalayan terrain. Approximately 105 kilometres of the route is expected to pass through tunnels, highlighting the engineering challenges involved in constructing the line.
The project is being developed to improve rail connectivity to the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand, where road travel is often affected by traffic congestion, landslides, weather conditions and difficult terrain.
Rishikesh to Karnaprayag Journey May Take 2 to 2.5 Hours
At present, travelling by road from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag can take approximately six to seven hours, depending on traffic, weather and road conditions.
Once the railway line becomes operational, the same journey is expected to take around two to two and a half hours.
The reduction in travel time could make it easier for pilgrims and tourists to access destinations in the Garhwal region. Karnaprayag is an important transit point for travellers heading towards several Himalayan pilgrimage and tourist destinations.
Meerut-Rishikesh Namo Bharat Corridor to Improve Delhi-NCR Access
The proposed Meerut-Rishikesh Namo Bharat corridor is also expected to strengthen connectivity between Delhi-NCR and Uttarakhand.
The corridor could provide a faster link for passengers travelling from the National Capital Region towards Rishikesh, which serves as a major gateway to the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and other destinations in the Himalayan state.
Combined with the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line, the corridor could create a more efficient travel network for pilgrims travelling towards Kedarnath, Badrinath and other religious destinations.
Boost to Pilgrimage and Tourism in Uttarakhand
The two rail projects are expected to support the growth of pilgrimage and tourism travel in Uttarakhand by reducing journey times and improving accessibility.
Faster connectivity could also help ease pressure on existing mountain roads, particularly during peak pilgrimage seasons when large numbers of visitors travel to the state.
However, the actual travel benefits will depend on the completion, commissioning and operationalisation of the projects.
