Dehradun: The semi-high-speed Namo Bharat regional rail service will be extended from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, following an agreement between the two state governments and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), officials said on Wednesday.
According to an official statement, the existing 82-km Namo Bharat corridor connecting Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi and Modipuram in Meerut will be extended by an additional 150 km up to Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh.
The extension project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. A survey for the proposed 150-km stretch will begin shortly as part of the project planning process.
Designed to operate at speeds of up to 160 kmph, the Namo Bharat train will enable passengers to travel the approximately 230-km distance between Delhi and Rishikesh via Meerut in about three hours. This is nearly half the time currently required to make the journey by road.
Officials said the project is expected to boost tourism, pilgrimage travel and regional economic development while providing a faster and more comfortable transport option for commuters.
