Dehradun, July 18, 2026: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw jointly flagged off the regular operation of the Ramnagar-Dehradun Express train via virtual mode. The train will run twice a week.
Dhami said the new rail service is an important milestone in Uttarakhand’s development journey and will act as a new lifeline for connectivity, development and opportunities between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on behalf of the people of the state for the new facility.
He said the Ramnagar-Dehradun train will run via Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipal Sana, Moradabad, Najibabad and Haridwar, improving direct and convenient rail connectivity not only between Kumaon and Garhwal but also with a large part of western Uttar Pradesh. He added that students, traders, employees and tourists will benefit from safe, comfortable and time-bound travel.
The chief minister said Indian Railways has entered a new era of modernisation under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He noted major improvements in safety, speed, technology and passenger amenities, and said trains like Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat have given a new identity to India’s technological strength and self-reliance. He also said the railways are moving rapidly toward green and advanced technologies.
Dhami added that the ambitious Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway project is in its final phase and will give fresh momentum to Uttarakhand’s social, economic, religious and tourism development. He said the state has already received two Vande Bharat trains and a record railway budget of ₹4,769 crore for 2026-27, while projects worth around ₹39,000 crore are currently underway in the state.
Union Minister Vaishnaw said Indian Railways is becoming a strong foundation for the country’s overall development under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He said the central government is continuously working to strengthen rail connectivity in Uttarakhand and added that if passenger demand increases, the new service could be made daily. He described the express train as a bridge between Garhwal and Kumaon.
Vaishnaw also praised Dhami’s efforts to expand rail infrastructure in Uttarakhand. He said 20 new and expanded rail services have been launched to connect the state with different parts of the country and that 11 railway stations in Uttarakhand are being modernized. Several MPs, MLAs and railway officials joined the event virtually.
