• Source:Jagran News Network

Several major railway infrastructure projects have been completed and advanced in Uttarakhand, significantly strengthening rail connectivity, safety and passenger facilities in the state. The 27.45-kilometre Roorkee-Deoband new rail line has been successfully commissioned, with new railway stations becoming operational at Banheda Khas and Jhabreda.

Train speeds on key routes have also been enhanced. Trains can now operate at speeds of up to 110 kmph on the Laksar-Haridwar section, while a proposal has been submitted to upgrade the Saharanpur-Haridwar section for similar speeds. In addition, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for increasing speed to 130 kmph has been approved, and routes have been identified for future operations at speeds of up to 160 kmph.

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Moradabad Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vinita Srivastava shared these updates after meeting Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his residence on Thursday. She informed that works related to Road Over Bridges (ROBs), Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and Level Crossing Substitutes (LHS) have been completed at several locations, including Laksar, Landhaura-Dhanaura, Roorkee, Chodiala and Aithal, improving safety at crossings and easing traffic congestion.

The DRM said several important rail projects are currently underway in Uttarakhand. Railway stations at Harrawala, Roorkee and Kotdwar are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The redevelopment includes new station buildings, air-conditioned waiting halls, food courts, passenger-friendly designs for persons with disabilities, standardised platform heights, platform sheds, wider foot overbridges and modern circulating and parking areas.

Comprehensive redevelopment with capacity enhancement has also been proposed for Haridwar and Dehradun railway stations. These projects aim to provide world-class passenger facilities, iconic terminal designs, separate arrival and departure zones and improved external traffic management systems.

Work is progressing on the Yog Nagari Rishikesh-Karnaprayag new railway line project, which spans 125.20 kilometres. The project includes 12 stations, 35 bridges and 17 tunnels, with approximately 94 per cent of the main tunnel work already completed.

The DRM further informed that steps are being taken to develop new goods terminals in the state, including an integrated goods terminal facility at Patri and the upgradation of Patri and Jwalapur stations for light motor vehicle (LMV) loading. Some issues, such as pending approach land for the Iqbalpur ROB, defence land related to the Dhanaura ROB and revisions to the Laksar LHS due to high water levels, were also discussed. A two-wheeler-friendly foot overbridge has been proposed at Laksar. Instructions were issued to resolve these matters swiftly through better coordination between the state government and the railways.

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Reviewing the capacity enhancement plan for the Haridwar-Dehradun rail section, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said facilities for handling 24-coach trains are being developed at Harrawala, along with loop line extensions and speed enhancement. A wildlife mitigation plan is also being prepared in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India.

The Chief Minister directed officials to initiate redevelopment work at Tanakpur railway station and ensure the timely completion of all rail and passenger facility preparations in view of the upcoming Ardh Kumbh, so that improved amenities can be provided to devotees and travellers.


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