L&T Sets World Record in Tunnel Excavation on Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has set a new world record in tunnel construction by achieving 790 metres of monthly excavation using a single-shield hard rock Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) on the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Link project in Uttarakhand. The record was achieved by TBM 'Shiv', marking the highest-ever monthly progress with a single-shield hard rock TBM globally.

The 13.09-km downline tunnel, excavated by TBM Shiv, runs parallel to a 14.57-km upline tunnel that achieved breakthrough in April 2024. Both tunnels are part of the 125-km Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link project, which is slated for completion by December 2026.