Foundation stones were laid for the redevelopment of Kotdwar, Tanakpur and Kashipur railway stations at a cost of more than Rs 40 crore on Monday. Attending the event virtually, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stating that the PM laying the foundation stones for redevelopment of 554 railway stations in the nation has set a new record. Dhami said that redevelopment of the three railway stations in Uttarakhand will not only enhance rail connectivity in the Kumaon region but also provide modern facilities to the public in these railway stations. The nation is moving towards the golden era of Indian Railways under PM Modi’s leadership with the railways being prepared to fulfill the expectations of a self-reliant nation and aspirations of a new India. He said, “Removing unmanned railway crossings from broad gauge lines has made Indian Railways safer while the speed of trains has also increased considerably. Trains like the Vande Bharat express which signify self-reliance and modernity are becoming part of the rail network while work on linking untouched parts of the nation by rail is also underway.”

Referring to rail works underway in Uttarakhand, Dhami said that due to Modi’s farsightedness, more than 50 per cent work on the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project has been completed. Infrastructural development being undertaken in railway and other sectors is unprecedented, he added.