As soon as a pathway is available, Tejas Express will be started on the Delhi-Haridwar-Dehradun route. Approval in principle has been granted for this.
Further, all attempts are being made to start train operation till Srinagar in the next two and half years. Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal said this after meeting Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat in the national capital on Friday. Addressing media persons after the meet, Goyal said that budget will not be an issue for execution of rail projects in Uttarakhand.
On Rawat’s request, approval in principle has been granted for operating the Tejas train equipped with various latest facilities on the Delhi-Haridwar-Dehradun route. This train will be started as soon as a pathway is available.
Appreciating Rawat for aspects related to execution of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project, Goyal said that problems faced in other states are not experienced in Uttarakhand. He said, “All attempts are being made to facilitate rail connectivity till Srinagar in two and half years. Innovative work will be done in the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project.
For the 2021 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, the railways will make full arrangements as done for the Prayagraj Kumbh. The security of Dehradun and Haridwar railway stations will be ensured along with the convenience of passengers.
The modernisation of Dehradun railway station will be completed by November this year. Senior officials of the railways will be sent to Uttarakhand soon,” said Goyal.
Earlier, in the meeting, Rawat informed Goyal about the current status of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project. He said that approval had been received for converting forest land into non-forest land for the 126 kilometre long Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line. Further, 167 hectare private revenue land has also been acquired. Stating that rail traffic will naturaly increase after completion of this project, Rawat said that double tracking should be done either between Haridwar-Raiwala or Haridwar-Dehradun.
A rail container depot should also be established for loading and unloading goods train wagons at old Rishikesh station. Rawat further informed that the Devband-Roorkee rail line project had been accorded special project status.
Till now, Uttarakhand government has released Rs 261.61 crore as its contribution for this project. Stating that this contribution was adequate, Rawat requested that the rest of the project cost be borne by the Railways ministry or Government of India.
The CM also requested approval to the Lalkuan-Khatima, Tanakpur-Bageshwar and Kashipur-Dhampur rail lines. These three tracks are important for development of the mountainous region and from the strategic point of view.
