Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) has completed the major tunnel (T 13) of Railway Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) executing Rishikesh-Karnaprayag new Broad-gauge Rail link project in the state of Uttarakhand.
Completed Tunnel 13 excavation (9.4 KM Twin Tube) in Chardham Railway project
Boost to Connectivity & Economy through MEIL’s engineering milestone
MEIL’s advanced Tunneling techniques overcome Fragile Himalayan Geology
MEIL has shown its exemplary engineering skills and capacities with the construction 9.44 km long twin tube tunnel (Main and Escape tunnels) with its last break-through of Main Tunnel on 2nd November amid harsh weather and high-altitude difficulties. As a total, it has completed 19.7 km long Tunnelling works under segment 7B, which includes both Main, Escape and Audit Tunnels excavation.
The final breakthrough of the 9.44 kilometre-long Main tunnel has been achieved in the 7B segment of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag New Broad Gauge Rail Link Project.
This remarkable feat of engineering marks a significant milestone in the RVNL Railway project's progress to facilitate the pilgrims of Chardham Yatra in the Garhwal Himalayan range of Uttarakhand. This project have significant step forwarding in enhancing all weather connectivity to “Char Dhams” and Border area of Uttarakhand.
MEIL has bagged the two segments from the RVNL, a PSE under Ministry of Railways is executing Rishikesh- Karanprayag new BG rail link project in the state of Uttarakhand. It has completed the Segment 7B with latest break-through and Segment 8A tunnel works are ongoing.
This project has been designated to be of strategic and national importance. The entire project has been divided in 10 civil construction packages out of this segment -7B comprising Tunnel 13, is being executed between Narkota to Tilani Yard (Sumerpur) in District Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand.
Segment 7B includes construction of two parallel tunnels, each approximately 9.20 km long. One tunnel serves as the Main tunnel, while the other is designated as the Escape tunnel, which will be used for services such as maintenance and in case of emergency.
The 7B segment stretches from Narkota to Tilani Yard of Sumerpur in the Rudraprayag district. MEIL is executing this critical segment, which includes the construction of main and escape tunnels, bridges, and formation works. The escape tunnel of this segment is the longest of the 125-kilometre-long tunnel project. It will serve as a vital passage for maintenance and emergency purposes, ensuring seamless operation of the rail link.
The construction work of Tunnel-13 (Main Tunnel & Escape Tunnel) commenced in the month of Aug. 2020, immediately after the challenging phase of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Alignment of Tunnel-13 is passing through the low overburden zone near Rudraprayag Nallah and Aun village, where Excavation was done by controlled blasting and mechanical means. The Construction works were carried out through 8 different faces, viz: 2 from Portal – 1 (Narkota end), 2 from Portal – 2 (Sumerpur end) and 4 faces from ADIT-7 (Jawari bypass) in the state of Uttarakhand.
The RVNL Railway Project is located in a part of inner Lesser Himalayan Belt tectonically bounded by the Main Central Thrust (MCT) in the north and the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) in the south. MEIL has successfully completed the tunnel with international standards amid high-altitude location and fragile Himalayan geology with its advanced Tunnelling Engineering technique, New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).
Construction of a tunnel in the Himalayan region is not only uphill task but also risky, Yet, MEIL has constructed the Tunnel with its eco-friendly tunnel engineering methods, dedication of Human resources and international safety protocols.
While executing the Segment 7B (Tunnel 13), our dedicated team utilized advanced NATM technology and overcame geological challenges with meticulous planning. And made some achievements and taking awards form client “RVNL” Best contractor’ Award in 2022.
MEIL has achieved various milestones while construction of the Segment 7B works as follows.
* The highest progress for the day 60 m in a Day
* The highest progress for the week: 414.90 m
* The highest progress for the month: 1220.90 m
* The fastest Tunneling: More than 19.70 Km in minimum tenure at average progress of 7.54m/Day
* The average Progress for the project is 7.54 m/day
On the Occasion of final Break-Through of Main Tunnel in the Segment 7B, G Srinath Reddy, Chief Operating Officer, Tunneling & Under Ground Projects, MEIL said “The tunnel will enhance the commutation from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag and facilitates Pilgrims of Chardham Yatra. It also boosts the Tourism, Trade and economy of the Uttarakhand State. We are very happy to part of this developmental project for strengthening the nation’s growth”
