PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Rudrapur
Rail connectivity between Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra received a major boost on Monday with the inauguration of the Tanakpur–Hazur Sahib Nanded Weekly Express, the Nanded–Mumbai Express, and the extension of the Tanakpur–Pilibhit passenger train up to Shahjahanpur.
The services were inaugurated through video conferencing by the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh, Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada and Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta.
Addressing the programme, Vaishnaw said the new services had been approved in view of the religious significance of Hazur Sahib Nanded and long-standing public demand.
Highlighting the transformation of Indian Railways, the Railway Minister said that over 37,000 km of new railway tracks had been laid during the past 12 years, nearly the entire broad-gauge network had been electrified, and thousands of new general-class coaches were being added to improve affordable travel.
Dhami described the launch as a historic milestone for the Kumaon region, saying the new train would promote pilgrimage, tourism, trade and cultural integration. He noted that Tanakpur serves as the gateway to revered destinations such as Purnagiri and Adi Kailash and said the service would provide direct connectivity for travellers from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that the Nanded–Mumbai Express would enhance religious tourism and economic activity in the region.
At Tanakpur, the Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh and Union Minister Ajay Tamta flagged off the inaugural special train. Singh said the service fulfilled a long-pending demand of Sikh devotees by providing direct rail connectivity to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib at Nanded. Tamta said the project would benefit the border region and promote tourism in Uttarakhand.
