CM stresses modern facilities at railway stations to boost pilgrimage & tourism in U’khand
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasised the growing potential for pilgrimage and tourism in Uttarakhand, stating that it is essential to equip railway stations with modern facilities. He made these comments while a delegation led by Railway Board chairman Satish Kumar met him at the CM residence on Friday. The discussions focused on the expansion of railway infrastructure in the State, ongoing rail projects and future railway needs.
CM said that strengthening railway connectivity in Uttarakhand would provide new momentum for the State’s overall development, tourism, pilgrimage, investment and local economy. He described the Rishikesh-Karnprayag Rail Project as an ambitious and strategically important initiative for the State and stressed the need for its completion within the stipulated time frame. This project aims to enhance transportation convenience, safety and modernity for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Char Dham Yatra, particularly Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham.
Additionally, the meeting covered the progress of the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail project in detail. The Railway Board chairman informed the CM that the project survey and Detailed Project Report (DPR) have been completed. CM expressed hope that tangible progress on this project would be apparent by November 2026. He also highlighted the Karnaprayag -Bageshwar and Kichha-Khatima rail line projects as important for future needs and balanced regional development, urging further action on these initiatives.
“Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Roorkee in the Garhwal Division, as well as Haldwani, Kathgodam, Ramnagar and Tanakpur in the Kumaon Division, are major gateways to the State,” the CM stated, emphasising the need to improve passenger amenities and modern facilities at these stations.
Dhami stressed the necessity for developing special facilities at Haridwar, Rishikesh and Roorkee railway stations, in light of the increasing number of passengers expected for the upcoming Kumbh and Kanwad Mela. He noted that coordinated efforts between the railways and the State government could enhance the travel experience for pilgrims and travelers, making it safer and smoother.
Moreover, he underscored the importance of taking effective action towards doubling the Haridwar-Dehradun railway line. Dhami stated that the expansion and modernisation of the railway network would create new opportunities for investment, trade, tourism, and employment in the State, ultimately providing long-term strength to Uttarakhand’s economy.
