Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has flagged off the first direct Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, enhancing rail connectivity between Uttarakhand’s Kumaon and Garhwal regions. The twice-weekly train will improve passenger convenience, support tourism, strengthen pilgrimage access, and promote regional economic growth across Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh.
Key Highlights
- First direct Ramnagar-Dehradun Express connects Kumaon and Garhwal regions.
- Train will operate every Wednesday and Friday with multiple travel classes.
- Rishikesh station to be developed as a feeder station to reduce Haridwar congestion.
- 11 railway stations in Uttarakhand are being redeveloped with improved passenger amenities.
- Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Line Work Progressing Rapidly
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday virtually flagged off the inaugural Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, the first direct Express train connecting Ramnagar and Dehradun. The new service fulfills a long-pending public demand and significantly strengthens rail connectivity between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand, benefiting passengers across the state and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
The Ramnagar-Dehradun Express will run twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. Train No. 15310 will depart Ramnagar at 5:50 am and reach Dehradun at 12:40 pm, while Train No. 15309 will leave Dehradun at 3:55 pm and arrive in Ramnagar at 11:30 pm. The train will halt at Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad and Haridwar, offering convenient travel options through AC, Sleeper, Chair Car, Second Sitting and General coaches.
The new train will benefit students, farmers, traders, tourists and daily commuters from Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, Dehradun, Moradabad and Bijnor. It will also improve access to Jim Corbett National Park, Girija Devi Temple, Sitamadhi/Sitavani, and provide seamless onward connectivity to the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Rishikesh Railway Station will be developed as a feeder station to reduce congestion at Haridwar by expanding rail capacity. He also said that 11 railway stations in Uttarakhand are being redeveloped with improved passenger facilities, with a special focus on providing better amenities for poor and middle-class travellers without increasing congestion.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the launch of the train marks another milestone in the state’s railway development. He highlighted that work on the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Line is progressing rapidly and will become a lifeline for social, economic, religious and tourism development. He also noted that Uttarakhand has received a record ₹4,769 crore railway budget allocation, while projects worth over ₹40,000 crore are under implementation.
Conclusion
The launch of the Ramnagar-Dehradun Express marks a significant step in improving Uttarakhand’s rail infrastructure, enhancing regional connectivity, promoting tourism and pilgrimage, and supporting the state’s long-term economic development.
Excerpt
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched the first direct Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, strengthening rail connectivity between Uttarakhand’s Kumaon and Garhwal regions while boosting tourism, pilgrimage and regional development.
