Dehradun: DRM Moradabad, Mrs. Vineeta Srivastava, paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Chief Minister’s residence on Thursday. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding the strengthening of rail infrastructure in the state, completed and ongoing rail projects, and future requirements. During the meeting, DRM Moradabad, Mrs. Vineeta Srivastava, informed the Chief Minister that several important rail projects have been successfully completed in Uttarakhand. She stated that the new railway line project connecting Roorkee to Deoband (27.45 kilometers) has been commissioned, under which new railway stations have been constructed at Banhera Khas and Jhabrera. In addition, speed enhancement works have been completed on major rail routes in the state, including upgrading the Laksar-Haridwar rail section to 110 kilometers per hour, while a proposal has been submitted to upgrade the Saharanpur-Haridwar section to 110 kilometers per hour. She also informed that the DPR for a speed target of 130 kilometers per hour has been approved, and routes have been identified for a long-term speed of 160 kilometers per hour.
She further informed that works related to ROBs, RUBs, and LHS have been completed at several locations in the Uttarakhand section, including Laksar, Landhaura-Dhanora, Roorkee, Chodiala, and Aithal, which has significantly increased safety at railway crossings and reduced traffic congestion in busy areas.
DRM Mrs. Vineeta Srivastava also informed the Chief Minister that several important rail projects are currently underway in the state. She informed that redevelopment work is being carried out at Harrawala, Roorkee, and Kotdwar railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which includes the construction of new station buildings, AC waiting rooms, food courts, disabled-friendly and pedestrian-friendly designs, standardization of platform height, platform sheds, new and wider foot overbridges (FOBs), and the development of modern circulating and parking areas. He also informed that comprehensive redevelopment with capacity enhancement is proposed for Haridwar and Dehradun railway stations, which will include world-class passenger amenities, iconic terminal designs, segregation of arrival and departure areas, and improved external traffic management. Additionally, a new railway line project connecting Yog Nagari Rishikesh to Karnaprayag is under construction, with a total length of 125.20 kilometers. This project includes 12 stations, 35 bridges, and 17 tunnels along the route, and work on the major tunnels is approximately 94 percent complete.
The DRM also informed that work is underway towards the construction of new freight terminals in the state, including the development of an integrated freight terminal facility at Patri (PRI) and the upgrading of Patri and Jwalapur (JWP) stations for LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) loading.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed that better coordination be established between the state and the railways to expedite the resolution of issues related to projects such as the Iqbalpur ROB, where approach land is pending with the PWD; the Dhanaura ROB, where a case related to defense land is pending; and the Laksar LHS, which has been modified due to high water levels and where a pedestrian overbridge (FOB) suitable for two-wheelers is proposed.
Reviewing the capacity enhancement plan for the Haridwar-Dehradun rail section, the Chief Minister stated that 24-coach handling facilities are being developed at Harrawala, including loop line expansion and speed enhancement targets. He also mentioned that a wildlife mitigation plan is being prepared under this project in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed that necessary action be taken for the redevelopment of Tanakpur railway station and that all preparations related to rail and passenger facilities be ensured in a time-bound manner in view of the upcoming Ardh Kumbh, so that better facilities can be provided to devotees and passengers.
