Namo Bharat high-speed rail corridor, connecting Delhi to Meerut, is a step closer to linking Haridwar and Rishikesh, important pilgrimage spots of Uttarakhand.

Although reports said that the detailed project report survey was delayed, the Uttarakhand government is likely to approve the survey soon. This development will open up more opportunities for the construction of the proposed corridor.

This is after the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) requested the survey permission for the Detailed Project Report from the state government. Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan responded favourably to the proposal, as per officials.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: Kunal Ghosh Targeted With Eggs Outside Mamata Banerjee's Residence Amid Spate Of Attacks On TMC Leaders

Uttar Pradesh has already given its permission for the survey. As soon as Uttarakhand approves the survey, NCRTC can begin its on-ground and technical (geological) survey along the proposed route.

150 Km long corridor to be proposed

Under the proposal, the Namo Bharat corridor would stretch from Modipuram (in Meerut) to Rishikesh, covering roughly 150 kilometres. Around 72 Km would lie within the Uttar Pradesh boundaries, while nearly 78 km would cover Uttarakhand.

The proposed corridor will connect Modipuram, Daurala, Khatauli, Muzaffarnagar, Purkaji, Roorkee, Haridwar and Rishikesh. The new corridor is expected to improve connectivity of the Delhi-NCR region with pilgrimage towns.

The time from Delhi to Rishikesh, by road, is around five to six hours, which would be brought down to around 2.5 to three hours by the Namo Bharat trains running at the speed of 160 Kmph.

Expected Fare Range

Preliminary estimates suggest that fares between Delhi and Rishikesh could be:

  • Rs 450-520 for standard coaches
  • Rs 900-1,000 for premium coaches

The final fare structure will be determined after completion of the DPR and project approval process.

ALSO READ: Madhya Pradesh: IMD Issues Yellow Alert as Heavy Rainfall Expected Across Several Districts Till June 19

The proposed extension has received strong support from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who had earlier raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Confirming the development, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan said, “The Union Ministry of Urban Development has accepted Uttarakhand's demand to extend the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System corridor from Meerut to Haridwar and Rishikesh. The state's consent has been sought for a feasibility report, which is being sent to the central government soon. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had brought this issue to the attention of the central government.”