The Uttarakhand government has moved a step closer towards bringing Namo Bharat high-speed train service to Rishikesh, with the extension of the proposed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor from Modipuram station in Meerut to Lakshman Jhula.
The development comes after discussions between Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), where all stakeholders agreed in principle to the proposed extension. A detailed project report (DPR) survey of the approximately 150-kilometre-long corridor is expected to begin soon.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said expansion of Namo Bharat service would significantly improve connectivity between Uttarakhand and Delhi-NCR while boosting tourism, pilgrimage travel and economic activity in the hill state.
“Extension of Namo Bharat train service from Meerut to Rishikesh will give a new direction to Uttarakhand’s connectivity. Pilgrims, tourists and locals will benefit from fast, safe and modern transport facilities,” the Prime Minister said.
The proposed corridor will start from Modipuram in Meerut and pass through Muzaffarnagar before entering Uttarakhand. The route will then cover Roorkee, Haridwar and Rishikesh before ending near Lakshman Jhula. Of the proposed alignment, 72 km will fall in Uttar Pradesh while 78 km will be in Uttarakhand.
At present, traveling between Delhi and Rishikesh by road takes about five to six hours. With Namo Bharat trains running at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, the travel time is expected to come down to approximately two-and-a-half to three hours.
The Council of Ministers approves major political decisions
Besides the railway project, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved several policy and administrative measures across sectors ranging from animal husbandry and education to tourism and prison reforms.
The main Cabinet decisions included the following:
- Approval of a pilot project for embryo transfer aimed at improving livestock breeds and increasing milk production
- State subsidy of 20% of insurance premiums for horses and mules used during Char Dham Yatra
- Approval to declare Uttarakhand a fully literate state in line with the National Education Policy 2020
- Financial assistance to settle outstanding payments under the State Government Health Program Gold Card Scheme
- Approval to organize the International Himalayan Car Rally to promote tourism
The Cabinet also approved temporary price adjustment provisions for bitumen-related road contracts following sharp increases in oil prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Focus on governance and exports
The Cabinet approved the establishment of five specialized posts to operate the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) instrument at the Aroma Plant Center in Selakwe to test adulteration in essential oils and herbal products with the aim of boosting exports.
He also approved amendments relating to prison administration, Sanskrit education regulations and service rules for prison supervisors.
In another major decision, the Cabinet approved revised eligibility criteria for equal pay provisions applicable to Upnal employees following the court’s directions.
The state cabinet also expressed its gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for helping in building consensus among states on the much-awaited Keshaw multi-purpose dam project.
