Siemens Wins Rs 263 Crore RVNL Contract for 102.5 km Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Electrification

India's Siemens Ltd has secured a Rs 263 crore ($31m) contract from Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) to supply overhead rail electrification equipment for the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag line in Uttarakhand. The order covers 102.5 km of rail electrification infrastructure.

The contract enables electric traction across a strategic corridor linking Rishikesh, a major pilgrimage and tourism hub, with Karnaprayag in the Himalayan foothills. Electrification eliminates diesel traction on the route, reducing operating costs and emissions on a line serving mountainous terrain with steep gradients and limited refuelling infrastructure.

Siemens will deliver overhead catenary systems — the wire and support structures that transmit power to electric locomotives and trainsets — across the full 102.5 km alignment. RVNL, the state-owned railway infrastructure developer, awarded the contract as part of Indian Railways' ongoing electrification programme.

The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag project forms part of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail line, a new construction project in Uttarakhand designed to improve connectivity in the state's northern districts, including the Char Dham pilgrimage connectivity corridor. The line traverses challenging geography, requiring extensive tunnelling and bridging works alongside electrification infrastructure. Siemens announced the order on Monday, adding to its portfolio of Indian Railways electrification contracts delivered through its Indian subsidiary.