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Delhi–Rishikesh Namo Bharat train plan gets green signal push… travel time to drop to just 2.5 hours? Big update on ₹150 km mega corridor
Uttarakhand moves closer to approving the DPR survey for the ambitious Namo Bharat extension from Meerut to Rishikesh, promising faster connectivity to Haridwar and major pilgrimage routes.
India’s ambitious semi-high-speed rail project under the **Namo Bharat corridor is now inching closer to a major expansion that could transform travel between Delhi-NCR and Uttarakhand’s spiritual heartland.
According to officials, the proposed extension of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC)—which is already developing the Delhi–Meerut stretch—is expected to move ahead soon, as the Uttarakhand government is likely to approve the Detailed Project Report (DPR) survey in the coming days.
This development follows a formal request from NCRTC to carry out technical and geological surveys for extending the corridor beyond Meerut. Senior officials have indicated that Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has responded positively, clearing the way for further groundwork.
Once approved, the survey will mark the first concrete step toward connecting Meerut, Haridwar, and Rishikesh under a single rapid transit network.
The proposed corridor is expected to stretch nearly 150 kilometres, with around 72 km in Uttar Pradesh and 78 km in Uttarakhand, making it one of the most significant inter-state urban mobility projects in North India.
The route alignment under discussion includes key urban and pilgrimage-linked stops such as Modipuram, Daurala, Khatauli, Muzaffarnagar, Purkaji, Roorkee, Haridwar, and finally Rishikesh. If executed as planned, the project will dramatically improve access to Uttarakhand’s religious tourism circuit, especially for lakhs of pilgrims visiting the Ganga belt every year.
Currently, travelling from Delhi to Rishikesh by road takes around 5 to 6 hours, often longer during peak pilgrimage seasons. With the Namo Bharat corridor operating at speeds of up to 160 kmph, the same journey could be reduced to just 2.5 to 3 hours, significantly changing travel patterns across the region.
Preliminary fare estimates suggest a relatively affordable structure:
- Standard coaches: ₹450–₹520
- Premium coaches: ₹900–₹1,000
However, officials have clarified that final pricing will only be decided after the completion of the DPR and final approval stages.
The project has already received strong political backing. Pushkar Singh Dhami has been actively pushing for the extension, having raised the matter with both the central government and senior Union ministers.
In earlier discussions, Union leaders including Narendra Modi and Manohar Lal Khattar were informed about the strategic importance of extending the corridor to Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage hubs.
Confirming progress on the proposal, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan noted that the Union Ministry has acknowledged Uttarakhand’s demand to extend the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System towards Haridwar and Rishikesh, and that the state’s consent for the feasibility report is being processed for submission to the Centre.
If cleared, the project could become a game-changer not just for commuters, but also for tourism, local economies, and regional connectivity—bringing the spiritual towns of Uttarakhand much closer to the national capital in both time and accessibility.
For now, all eyes are on the upcoming decision from the Uttarakhand government, which could officially unlock the next phase of one of India’s most ambitious transport expansions.
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