Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami virtually flagged off the Lalkuan-Bandra Superfast train from his official residence in Dehradun on Monday, marking the fulfilment of a long-pending demand for direct rail connectivity between the Kumaon region and Mumbai.
“With the blessings of Neem Karoli Baba, the dream of train movement from Lalkuan to Bandra has been realized. This is a significant milestone for the people of Kumaon,” Dhami said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Railway Minister for their support.
The new rail service is expected to greatly benefit residents and visitors travelling to Kumaon areas such as Haldwani, Almora, and Pithoragarh, as well as devotees visiting religious sites like Baba Kainchi Dham and Jageshwar.
Dhami emphasized that under PM Modi’s leadership, Indian Railways is advancing towards a golden era with the introduction of modern trains like Vande Bharat, which symbolize India’s self-reliance. He also highlighted ongoing railway infrastructure projects, including the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line and the upcoming Tanakpur-Bageshwar line.
MP Ajay Bhatt added that the direct Lalkuan-Mumbai rail service had been a longstanding demand of the people, and the new train will facilitate both local commuters and tourists. The region now has three weekly trains connecting Kumaon to Mumbai.
Train route and timing
Train No. 22544 will depart from Lalkuan every Monday at 07:45 AM and reach Bandra Terminus on Tuesday at 08:30 AM. The return journey will commence from Bandra on Tuesday at 11:00 AM, arriving in Lalkuan on Wednesday at 13:15 PM.
For passenger comfort, the train is equipped with modern LHB coaches, including AC, sleeper, and general classes.