**Executive Summary**
On July 18, 2026, Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the inaugural Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, the first direct express service connecting the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand. The initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity, support tourism, and modernise rail infrastructure through a record budget allocation of ₹4,769 crore. Key actions include the redevelopment of 11 stations and the advancement of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line to bolster the state's economic and religious infrastructure.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**New Train Service Details**
* **Service Frequency:** The Ramnagar-Dehradun Express will operate bi-weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays.
* **Schedule:** Train No. 15310 departs Ramnagar at 05:50 and arrives in Dehradun at 12:40; Train No. 15309 departs Dehradun at 15:55 and arrives in Ramnagar at 23:30.
* **Route and Halts:** The train stops at Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad, and Haridwar.
* **Coach Composition:** The service includes AC Second Class, AC Third Class, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, Second Sitting, and General Second Class coaches.
**Infrastructure and Station Redevelopment**
* **Station Modernisation:** Eleven stations in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Haridwar Junction, Roorkee, and Ramnagar, are undergoing rapid redevelopment.
* **Passenger Focus:** Redevelopment at Haridwar and Dehradun stations focuses on improving amenities for poor and middle-class passengers without increasing congestion.
* **Rishikesh Feeder Station:** A master plan is being prepared to develop Rishikesh as a feeder station to alleviate pressure on Haridwar and improve capacity.
* **Strategic Rail Lines:** Work on the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line is progressing rapidly to serve as a vital link for the state’s development.
**Regional and Economic Impact**
* **Enhanced Connectivity:** The service provides same-day connectivity for residents of Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, Dehradun, Moradabad, and Bijnor.
* **Tourism and Pilgrimage:** The line improves access to Jim Corbett National Park and religious sites including the Girija Devi Temple and the Char Dham circuit (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri).
* **Investment:** Uttarakhand has received a record railway budget of ₹4,769 crore, with projects exceeding ₹40,000 crore currently under implementation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Residents of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, Dehradun, Moradabad, Bijnor)**
**Impact**
Residents, including students, farmers, and traders, now have access to the first direct express link between Kumaon and Garhwal. This enables same-day travel for official, educational, and business purposes.
**Action Required**
Passengers should refer to the specific bi-weekly schedule (Wednesday and Friday) and utilize the various coach categories based on their travel requirements.
**Tourists and Pilgrims**
**Impact**
Travelers gain streamlined access to major wildlife and religious destinations. Onward connectivity from Haridwar and Dehradun facilitates easier entry to the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.
**Action Required**
Tourists should plan itineraries around the new Express service and utilize Haridwar/Dehradun as hubs for onward travel to religious sites.
**Ministry of Railways and Local Authorities**
**Impact**
The government is tasked with managing extensive redevelopment projects across 11 stations and overseeing a ₹40,000 crore investment portfolio.
**Action Required**
Railway officials must execute the master plan for the Rishikesh feeder station and ensure the timely completion of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line and station upgrades.
Key Entities Referenced
Ramnagar-Dehradun Express: The first direct express train service connecting the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand to enhance regional connectivity and tourism.
Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Line: A major ongoing railway infrastructure project described as a future lifeline for Uttarakhand's social, economic, and religious development.
Uttarakhand: The primary state for the implementation of the new train service, the redevelopment of 11 railway stations, and major rail connectivity projects.
Ministry of Railways: The central government body responsible for launching the new train service, managing station redevelopments, and allocating the railway budget for the state.
Ministry of Railways
Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Flags Off
Ramnagar-Dehradun Express
First Direct Express Train Between Ramnagar and Dehradun
to Improve Connectivity Between Kumaon and Garhwal
Regions of Uttarakhand
Redevelopment of Haridwar and Dehradun Stations to Focus
on Better Amenities for Poor and Middle-Class Passengers
Without Increasing Congestion: Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw
Rishikesh Railway Station to be Developed as Feeder Station
to Expand Rail Capacity in Uttarakhand: Union Railway
Minister
Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Line Work Progressing Rapidly,
Will Become the Lifeline for Uttarakhand's Social, Economic,
Religious and Tourism Development: Sh. Pushkar Singh
Dhami
प्रव तथ: 18 JUL 2026 4:11PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw today virtually flagged off the inaugural service of
the Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, marking the commencement of the first-ever direct Express train
connecting Ramnagar with Dehradun. Chief Minister of Uttrakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami was also
present on the occasion via video conferencing. The new train fulfills a long-pending demand of the
people of the region and will significantly strengthen rail connectivity between the Kumaon and Garhwal
regions of Uttarakhand.The Express train will operate every Wednesday and Friday. Train No. 15310 will depart Ramnagar at
05:50 hrs and arrive at Dehradun at 12:40 hrs. On the return journey, Train No. 15309 will depart
Dehradun at 15:55 hrs and reach Ramnagar at 23:30 hrs. The train will halt at Kashipur, Roshanpur,
Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad and Haridwar en route.
The train will comprise AC Second Class, AC Third Class, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, Second Sitting
and General Second Class coaches, offering comfortable travel options for passengers across different
categories.The new service will benefit residents of Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar and Dehradun districts
in Uttarakhand, as well as Moradabad and Bijnor districts in Uttar Pradesh, including students, farmers,
traders and people from all walks of life. It will provide convenient same-day connectivity to Dehradun
and Haridwar, enabling passengers to complete official, educational, business and personal work before
returning home.
The train is also expected to promote tourism and pilgrimage in the region. It will improve connectivity to
Jim Corbett National Park, the Girija Devi Temple situated on a large rock amid the Kosi River near
Ramnagar, and the ancient religious sites of Sitamadhi/Sitavani. In addition, passengers will find it more
convenient to access the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and
Yamunotri, through onward connectivity from Haridwar and Dehradun.
Addressing the people, Shri Vaishnaw said the Ramnagar-Dehradun Express would strengthen rail
connectivity between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand. This is the first direct Express
train between the two cities and is expected to provide faster, more convenient and reliable rail
connectivity for the people of Uttarakhand.
He also mentioned that Rishikesh railway station will be developed as a feeder station to ease pressure on
Haridwar. For this, a master plan is being prepared to create additional capacity and improve connectivity
for passengers travelling to and from Haridwar and Rishikesh.Shri Vaishnaw highlighted that the redevelopment of railway stations in Uttarakhand is progressing
rapidly. He added that 11 stations in the state are being redeveloped, including Dehradun, Haridwar
Junction, Harrawala, Kashipur Junction, Kichha, Kotdwar, Roorkee, Kathgodam, Lal Kuan Junction,
Ramnagar and Tanakpur.
The redevelopment of Haridwar and Dehradun stations is being planned with special emphasis on
providing better facilities for poor and middle-class passengers while ensuring that congestion does not
increase, the Railway Minister said. Referring to other rail initiatives, Shri Vaishnaw mentioned that therecently introduced Tanakpur-Nanded Express has received a positive response and that Vande Bharat
services in the region are also performing well.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the launch of the Ramnagar-Dehradun
Express marks another major step in strengthening rail connectivity in Uttarakhand. He congratulated the
people of the state on the introduction of the new train service and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw for the initiative.
He also highlighted that the rail connectivity in Uttarakhand has improved significantly in recent years,
with several new train services being introduced across the state. Shri Dhami said work on the Rishikesh-
Karnaprayag rail line is progressing rapidly and would become a lifeline for the social, economic,
religious and tourism development of Uttarakhand.
Further, Sh. Dhami mentioned that Uttarakhand has received a record railway budget allocation of ₹4,769
crore, while railway projects worth more than ₹40,000 crore are currently under implementation in the
state. Referring to railway development in Haridwar, Shri Dhami said several infrastructure projects and
train services are being planned in view of the upcoming Kumbh.
Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Member of Parliament Haridwar Constituency; Anil Baluni, Member of
Parliament Garhwal Constituency and senior railway officials were among the dignitaries present on the
occasion.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj/ Manik Sharma
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2286075) आगंतुक पटल : 745
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