High-Level Coordination Meeting Between U’Khand Govt and Railways
Focus on Major Projects and Kumbh Preparations
Dehradun. A high-level coordination meeting between the Uttarakhand Government and Indian Railways was held on Monday at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan. Senior officials, including DRM Moradabad, Sangrah Maurya, discussed key railway projects, station upgradation plans, preparations for Kumbh 2027 and Mahakumbh 2033, and long-term mobility strategies for the state.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed that a joint survey of the Rishikesh–Doiwala Railway Bypass be conducted at the earliest by teams from Rajaji National Park, Railways, and the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). He also instructed that processes for obtaining Wildlife and Forest Clearances be initiated immediately to ensure timely execution of the project. Similarly, he asked for the expeditious completion of the joint survey by Railways, Forest, and Revenue departments for the expansion of Harrawala Railway Station.
Highlighting the importance of rail connectivity for upcoming mega events, the Chief Secretary stressed that the Haridwar–Dehradun railway line must be doubled well before the Mahakumbh 2033. He directed that the required clearances for this project also be processed promptly. The Railways were asked to prepare and share a comprehensive traffic management and circulation plan for the Kumbh Mela at the earliest. He further directed that Haridwar and Rishikesh railway stations be included in facelift and modernization initiatives.
To improve coordination, the Chief Secretary instructed Railways to nominate a dedicated “Mela Officer” to participate in all meetings related to Kumbh 2027 preparations and to establish an effective mechanism for timely information exchange between Railways and the Uttarakhand Government.
The meeting also emphasized preparing a comprehensive “State Mobility Plan” with a 50-year vision, integrating all modes of transport and alternative transit options to meet future mobility demands.
DRM Sangrah Maurya informed that the preliminary survey of the Dehradun–Mussoorie railway project has been completed and that the final location survey will begin shortly. The final location survey for the Saharanpur–Dehradun project is already in progress. He further stated that the DPR (Detailed Project Report) for Harrawala Railway Station has been approved, with project sanction pending.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretaries Brijesh Kumar Sant and C. Ravishankar, Resident Commissioner Ajay Mishra, MDDA Vice-Chairman, and DG Information Banshidhar Tiwari, among other senior officials.
