"Would strengthen rail connectivity between Kumaon and Garhwal region": Ashwini Vaishnaw, CM Dhami virtually flag off Ramnagar-Dehradun Express

Addressing the people, Vaishnaw said, "Ramnagar-Dehradun Express would strengthen rail connectivity between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand. This is the first direct Express train between the two cities and is expected to provide faster, more convenient and reliable rail connectivity for the people of Uttarakhand."

"Kumaon and Garhwal are two very strong pillars of Uttarakhand. This train serves to connect these two regions, acting as a new bridge between Kumaon and Garhwal. Continuous efforts have been made to achieve this, and the result is that the train is now able to run at least two days a week--which is excellent news... Currently, there is significant traffic congestion in Moradabad and Haridwar; otherwise, it was my wish--and indeed, it should be the goal--to run this train daily. Significant infrastructure work is underway in Haridwar and Moradabad to better connect Kumaon and Garhwal. Once these projects are completed, we will arrange for the train to run daily. The Chief Minister (CM Pushkar Singh Dhami) recently visited Delhi, and detailed discussions were held regarding this. Since there is no further space or capacity available in Haridwar--yet there is immense demand for travel to Haridwar and Rishikesh from all parts of the country (North, East, West, Central, and South)--a master plan will be prepared based on those discussions...," Vaishnaw further said.

Appreciating Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's efforts towards expanding railway infrastructure in Uttarakhand, the Union Railway Minister said that 20 new and extended train services have been introduced to connect the state with different parts of the country and 11 railway stations in Uttarakhand are being modernised.

He also thanked the Chief Minister for extending full cooperation in the expansion of the railway network across the state.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Dhami described the new rail service as a significant milestone in Uttarakhand's development journey. He said the train is not merely a new railway service but a vital lifeline that will strengthen connectivity, development, and economic opportunities between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions.

Thanking PM Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the new rail service, he said, "Under the Prime Minister's visionary leadership, railway infrastructure in the state is expanding rapidly. The Ramnagar-Dehradun Express will operate via Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad, and Haridwar, providing seamless rail connectivity between Kumaon, Garhwal, and large parts of western Uttar Pradesh. He added that the service will benefit passengers, students, traders, employees, and tourists by offering safe, convenient, and timely travel."

"Under PM Modi's leadership, Indian Railways has entered a new era of modernization, witnessing remarkable improvements in safety, speed, technological advancement, and passenger amenities," CM Dhami said. He noted that indigenous trains such as Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat have showcased India's technological capabilities and self-reliance, while the railways are also moving rapidly towards greener and more advanced technologies.

The Chief Minister said the ambitious Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project is in its final phase and will significantly boost the state's social, economic, religious, and tourism sectors. He added that Uttarakhand has already received two Vande Bharat trains and has been allocated a record railway budget of Rs 4,769 crore for 2026-27. Railway projects worth nearly Rs 39,000 crore are currently under various stages of implementation in the state.

He further said that coordinated efforts by the Centre and the state government are accelerating development across sectors, including roads, railways, healthcare, education, digital connectivity, and infrastructure. CM Dhami further said, "The double-engine government has doubled the pace of development and is committed to making Uttarakhand one of the country's leading states." (ANI)