Uttarakhand plans Namo Bharat link from Meerut to Rishikesh

THe Uttarakhand regime has moved a tread finisher towards bringing the high-velocity Namo Bharat rail service to Rishikesh, with the proposed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor set to be extended from Meerut’s Modipuram station to Lakshman Jhula.The development follows discussions between Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), with all stakeholders agreeing in principle to the proposed extension. A detailed project report (DPR) survey for the nearly 150-km corridor is expected to begin shortly.Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the expansion of the Namo Bharat service would significantly improve connectivity between Uttarakhand and Delhi-NCR while boosting tourism, pilgrimage travel and economic activity in the hill state.“The extension of the Namo Bharat train service from Meerut to Rishikesh will give a new direction to Uttarakhand’s connectivity. Pilgrims, tourists and local residents will benefit from fast, safe and modern transport facilities,” the Chief Minister said.The proposed corridor will begin from Modipuram in Meerut and pass through Muzaffarnagar before entering Uttarakhand. The route will then cover Roorkee, Haridwar and Rishikesh before terminating near Lakshman Jhula. Of the proposed alignment, 72 km will fall in Uttar Pradesh while 78 km will be in Uttarakhand.At present, travel between Delhi and Rishikesh by road takes around five to six hours. With the Namo Bharat trains operating at speeds of up to 160 kmph, the travel time is expected to reduce to nearly two-and-a-half to three hours.Cabinet clears major policy decisionsAlongside the rail project, the Uttarakhand cabinet approved several policy and administrative measures across sectors ranging from animal husbandry and education to tourism and prison reforms.Key cabinet decisions included:Approval for a pilot embryo transfer project aimed at improving cattle breeds and increasing milk productionState support for 20% of insurance premiums for horses and mules used during the Char Dham YatraApproval to declare Uttarakhand a fully literate state in line with the National Education Policy 2020Financial assistance for clearing pending payments under the state government health scheme’s Golden Card programmeApproval for an international Himalayan Car Rally to promote tourismThe cabinet also approved temporary price adjustment provisions for bitumen-related road contracts following sharp increases in petroleum prices linked to the Middle East conflict.Focus on governance and exportsThe cabinet approved creation of five specialist posts for operating an Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) machine at the Aroma Plant Centre in Selaqui to test adulteration in aromatic oils and herbal products aimed at boosting exports.It also cleared amendments related to prison administration, Sanskrit education regulations and service rules for jail superintendents.In another major decision, the cabinet approved revised eligibility norms for equal pay provisions applicable to Upnal personnel following court directions.The state cabinet also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah for helping build consensus among states on the long-pending Kishau multi-purpose dam project.