The review is being conducted under the direction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Housing Secretary R. Rajesh Kumar has instructed district magistrates and relevant officials to submit detailed reports identifying locations where railway work has substantially progressed and where regulated development could be allowed.
The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line is one of India’s most ambitious mountain railway projects. It aims to enhance connectivity in Uttarakhand’s hill districts and boost tourism, trade, and local economic activity.
The initial 400-metre “freeze zone” around the railway alignment was established on January 9, 2024, to protect tunnels and other critical engineering structures during construction. This zone covers several areas including Yog Nagri Rishikesh, Shivpuri, Byasi, Sirala, Tilwara Malla, Maletha, Srinagar, Dhari Devi, Tilni, Gholtir, and Gauchar. Construction activities inside this zone were restricted to prevent unregulated development from impacting the railway project.
While the restrictions have played a vital role in ensuring the railway project’s safety, they have also limited residential, hotel, homestay, resort, and commercial development along the corridor.
The ongoing review will technically assess whether areas with nearing completion of railway structures can be opened for regulated development without compromising safety. Decisions will be based on engineering evaluations, geological conditions, and railway safety requirements.
Housing Secretary R. Rajesh Kumar emphasized that the review seeks practical solutions that protect both public interests and the long-term integrity of the railway project.
Local stakeholders have urged the government to reconsider the restrictions, noting the impact on investments in stretches where major construction is complete. If eased, the relaxation could allow tourism infrastructure such as hotels, resorts, and homestays, along with residential and commercial projects, to resume in eligible zones.
Officials believe that the railway’s operationalization will increase tourist arrivals in the Garhwal region. Expanding tourism infrastructure near the corridor could generate new opportunities for investment, employment, and self-employment for local communities.
The government clarified that the review is not aimed at removing restrictions uniformly but at identifying specific locations where development can safely resume without affecting railway operations or public safety.
This initiative is part of Uttarakhand’s broader effort to align infrastructure development with economic growth, particularly in regions poised to benefit from the improved rail connectivity provided by the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway project.
