New Delhi, 18 July (H.S.): Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday flagged off the Ramnagar-Dehradun Express through video conferencing, marking the launch of the first direct express train connecting Ramnagar in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region with Dehradun, the capital of the Garhwal region. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was also present on the occasion.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the train will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Train No. 15310 will depart from Ramnagar at 5:50 am and arrive in Dehradun at 12:40 pm. On the return journey, Train No. 15309 will leave Dehradun at 3:55 pm and reach Ramnagar at 11:30 pm.

The train will halt at Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad, and Haridwar en route.

The Ramnagar-Dehradun Express will comprise AC Second Class, AC Three-Tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, Second Sitting, and General Second Class coaches. The new service is expected to benefit residents of the districts of Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, and Dehradun in Uttarakhand, as well as Moradabad and Bijnor districts in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing the event, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the train would provide faster, more convenient, and reliable rail connectivity between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions. He also announced that Rishikesh Railway Station would be developed as a feeder station to reduce congestion at Haridwar. A comprehensive master plan for the project is currently being prepared.

Vaishnaw further said that redevelopment work is progressing rapidly at 11 railway stations across Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Haridwar, Kashipur, Kotdwar, Roorkee, and Kathgodam.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the launch of the Ramnagar-Dehradun Express as another significant step towards strengthening rail connectivity in Uttarakhand. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the initiative.

Dhami also said that construction of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway line is progressing at a rapid pace and will serve as a lifeline for the state's social, economic, religious, and tourism development once completed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar