Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off the first express train from Tanakpur to Dehradun, which also connects some other major cities, on Saturday. CM Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav for the Tanakpur-Dehradun Weekly Express Train which will now add to people’s convenience.
The Tanakpur-Dehradun Weekly Express Train will be connecting Banbasa, Khatima, Pilibhit, Bhojipura, Bareilly City, Bareilly Junction, Chandosi, Moradabad, Najibabad, Laksar and Haridwar railway stations.
Furthermore, this train service will offer a more convenient transportation option for devotees travelling from these cities to visit Maa Purnagiri. The Chief Minister journeyed by train from Tanakpur to Khatima, engaging with passengers, collecting feedback, and extending well wishes.
He highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Indian Railways is progressing towards a golden era, aligning with the aspirations of New India and the vision of self-reliance. Over the past decade, Indian Railways has undergone significant transformations, presenting itself in a renewed form since 2014.
Railways since 2014
Presently, Indian Railways has achieved unprecedented safety by eradicating unmanned railway crossings from broad gauge rail lines. Simultaneously, the speed of Indian Railways has surged to unprecedented levels. Emblematic of self-reliance and modernity, domestically manufactured trains like Vande Bharat are integrating seamlessly into the rail network.
Future new railway lines in Uttarakhand
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, six stations in Uttarakhand are undergoing redevelopment efforts spearheaded by the Prime Minister. The successful launch of the Vande Bharat train service between Dehradun and Anand Vihar this year stands as a significant accomplishment. Surveying has been finalised for the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line, with construction set to commence shortly.
Furthermore, preparations are underway for the introduction of Vande Bharat trains between Dehradun and Ayodhya and Varanasi. The Chief Minister emphasised his government’s dedication to the development of Champawat district and affirmed their commitment to bringing developmental initiatives to fruition to integrate all citizens into the mainstream of progress.
He said, “We have approved an amount of Rs 45 crore for the construction of Purnagiri Temple Ropeway with the aim of increasing religious tourism activities in Maa Purnagiri Dham. Along with this, a plan is being prepared to develop the infrastructure facilities from Kakaraligate to Purnagiri Dham and to make a master plan along the lines of Kedarnath for the convenience of the devotees. Under the Sharda Corridor, a ghat will be constructed on the lines of Haridwar and Rishikesh where morning and evening aarti will be grandly performed every day.”
He announced that a motor bridge is under construction at Hanumangarhi-Gandakhali-Khetkheda, costing Rs 13.77 crore rupees, aimed at facilitating devotees visiting Maa Purnagiri during the rainy season. Additionally, to bolster trade and economic development along the India-Nepal border, a 3.82 km Indo-Nepal Dry Port is being built with an investment of 177 crore.
Other infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand
Additionally, a drainage project with a budget of 130 crore has been initiated in the Tanakpur and Banbasa area, while construction of a bus terminal in Tanakpur is underway at a cost of 56 crore. The significant temples in Kumaon are undergoing development as part of the Manas Khand Corridor initiative, encompassing nearly all the prominent temples within the Champawat district.
The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of completing these schemes to transform Champawat into an ideal and developed region. He reiterated the commitment to realizing the vision of “Vikalp Rahit Sankalp,” aiming to make Uttarakhand the foremost state. He called for cooperation and support from all stakeholders to build a better Uttarakhand.
(With ANI inputs)