Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has flagged off the first direct Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, providing seamless rail connectivity between Uttarakhand’s Kumaon and Garhwal regions. The twice-weekly train will improve access to Haridwar, Char Dham pilgrimage sites, tourism destinations, education, trade, and business hubs, benefiting thousands of passengers.
Key Highlights
- First direct Express train connects Ramnagar and Dehradun.
- Twice-weekly service starts with convenient same-day travel.
- Boosts Char Dham pilgrimage and tourism connectivity.
- 11 Uttarakhand railway stations are under redevelopment.
The Ministry of Railways on Saturday launched the first direct Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagging off the inaugural service. The new train fulfills a long-standing demand by creating a direct rail link between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand, making travel easier and faster for thousands of passengers.
Operating on Wednesdays and Fridays, Train 15310 will leave Ramnagar at 5:50 a.m. and reach Dehradun at 12:40 p.m., while the return service, Train 15309, will depart Dehradun at 3:55 p.m. and arrive in Ramnagar at 11:30 p.m. The train will stop at Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad, and Haridwar, improving regional connectivity.
The new service is expected to benefit students, traders, farmers, professionals, and tourists across Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, Dehradun, Moradabad, and Bijnor. It also enables same-day travel for official work, education, healthcare, business, and personal visits, reducing travel time and improving convenience.
The train will significantly strengthen access to Haridwar and provide easier onward travel to the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It is also expected to boost tourism by improving connectivity to Jim Corbett National Park, Girija Devi Temple, and Sitavani, attracting more domestic visitors.
During the launch, Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Rishikesh railway station will be developed as a feeder station to reduce pressure on Haridwar. He added that a comprehensive master plan is being prepared to enhance railway capacity, while 11 stations across Uttarakhand are already undergoing redevelopment to provide better passenger facilities and modern infrastructure.
