"Namo Bharat Train extension to Rishikesh will give new dimension to connectivity": Uttarakhand CM Dhami
New Delhi, June 17
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday said that the proposed extension of the Namo Bharat train service from Meerut to Rishikesh will give a new dimension to connectivity in the state.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister stated that the project will provide pilgrims, tourists, and residents with a fast, safe, and modern mode of transportation.
CM Dhami stated that the project will provide pilgrims, tourists, and residents with a fast, safe, and modern mode of transportation. The state government is continuously coordinating with the Central Government, the Uttar Pradesh Government, and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to take this ambitious project forward.
He added that the government aims to create new opportunities for development and employment through improved rail and transport infrastructure in the state.
Notably, the dream of a high-speed Namo Bharat (RRTS) train service from Modipuram in Meerut to Lakshman Jhula near Rishikesh is set to become a reality. Owing to the efforts of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and the NCRTC have reached an agreement to extend the existing RRTS network from Meerut to Rishikesh. A survey for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to begin shortly, the release stated.
The high-speed Namo Bharat train service between Delhi and Modipuram, Meerut, became operational in February this year. Chief Minister Dhami has been consistently pursuing the extension of the corridor from Modipuram to Rishikesh.
In this regard, CM Dhami recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and submitted a proposal for the extension. Following these discussions, approval in principle has been granted to extend the corridor up to Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh, the press release noted.
To expedite the project, the Uttarakhand Government has appointed Additional Secretary Reena Joshi as the nodal officer, while the NCRTC has also designated its own nodal officer. The Uttar Pradesh Government has likewise agreed to the proposal. As a result, a survey for preparing the DPR of the proposed 150-kilometre corridor is set to commence soon.
According to the proposed plan, the new track will originate from Modipuram station in Meerut and pass through Muzaffarnagar before entering Uttarakhand. It will then connect Roorkee, Haridwar, including the Har Ki Pauri area, and finally reach Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh. Of the proposed alignment, 72 kilometres will fall in Uttar Pradesh and 78 kilometres in Uttarakhand.
He further stated that the project is expected to offer a modern and efficient transport option for pilgrims visiting Uttarakhand as well as residents travelling to Delhi. At present, the journey between Delhi and Rishikesh by road takes approximately five to six hours.
Once the Namo Bharat train, capable of speeds of up to 160 kmph, becomes operational on this route, the travel time is expected to be reduced to just two-and-a-half to three hours, the release stated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally thinking about connectivity in the hills! But I hope the survey team considers the fragile ecology of the Himalayan region. We saw what happened with the Char Dham road project - environmental concerns were brushed aside. Let's hope Namo Bharat trains are built with sustainable practices. Progress should not come at the cost of our forests and rivers.
This is a welcome step for pilgrims, but what about daily wage workers and students who need affordable transport? I hope the fares are kept reasonable. The existing trains from Delhi to Haridwar are already overcrowded, and many poor families can't afford luxury trains. Let's hope the government balances modern connectivity with affordability for the common person.
Great initiative! As someone from Meerut, I've seen the first RRTS corridor transform connectivity to Delhi. Now extending it to Rishikesh via iconic places like Har Ki Pauri and Lakshman Jhula will not only boost tourism but also provide a modern transport backbone for the entire region. Kudos to CM Dhami for persistent efforts and the central government for approval.
Honestly, this is long overdue. Rishikesh is the yoga capital of the world and Haridwar sees crores of pilgrims each year. Yet, the road connectivity has been pathetic for decades. 160 kmph Namo Bharat trains will finally give international tourists a world-class experience. Plus, it will reduce carbon emissions compared to thousands of private cars and buses. Win-win.
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