PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
In light of the upcoming Ardh Kumbh, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed that all preparations related to rail and passenger facilities be completed promptly to ensure better services for devotees and travellers. His latest direction came when the DRM (divisional railway manager) Moradabad, Vinita Srivastava called on the CM at his residence on Thursday.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen railway infrastructure in the State, covering both completed and ongoing railway projects as well as future needs. CM emphasised the need for an early resolution of certain issues, such as the Iqbalpur Railway Overbridge (ROB) where approach land is pending with the Public Works Department (PWD), Dhanaura ROB involving defence land and the modified Laksar Level Crossing (LHS), which is affected by high water levels and is planned to include a two-wheeler-friendly Foot Overbridge (FOB). He urged improved coordination between the State and the Railways to resolve these matters.
While reviewing the capacity enhancement plan for the Haridwar-Dehradun rail section, the CM said that 24-coach handling facilities are being developed at Harrawala, aimed at extending the loop line and increasing speed. He also said that a wildlife mitigation plan is being crafted in partnership with the Wildlife Institute of India as a part of this project.
Further, Dhami directed that necessary actions be taken for the redevelopment of Tanakpur Railway Station. Srivastava informed the CM that several important railway projects have been successfully completed in Uttarakhand. She stated that the new railway line connecting Roorkee to Deoband (27.45 km) has been commissioned and new railway stations have been constructed at Banhera Khas and Jhabrera. Enhancement works to increase speed on major railway routes have been finalised, including the Laksar-Haridwar section being upgraded to 110 km/h and a proposal has been submitted to increase the speed of the Saharanpur-Haridwar section to the same speed. Moreover, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for achieving a target speed of 130 km/h has been approved, with routes identified for long-term plans to reach speeds of 160 km/h, she said.
She added that works related to the ROB, RUB and LHS have been completed in several locations, including Laksar and Landhaura-Dhanora among others, significantly improving safety at railway crossings and reducing traffic congestion in busy areas.
The DRM also reported on current railway projects in the State. Redevelopment work is underway at Harrawala, Roorkee and Kotdwar railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana. This includes the construction of new station buildings, air-conditioned waiting rooms, food courts, pedestrian-friendly designs, standardisation of platform heights and others.
“Further, extensive redevelopment is proposed for the Haridwar and Dehradun railway stations. A new railway line project connecting the yoga city of Rishikesh to Karnaprayag is also under construction, spanning a total length of 125.20 kilometres, and includes 12 stations, 35 bridges and 17 tunnels, with approximately 94 per cent completion on the major tunnels,” Srivastava said.
The DRM further said that work is progressing on the construction of new goods terminals in the State, which includes the development of an integrated goods terminal facility at Patri (PRI) and the upgrading of Patri and Jwalapur (JWP) stations for light motor vehicle (LMV) loading.
