Ramnagar–Dehradun train from July 18 to boost Uttarakhand tourism
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A new bi-weekly express train service connecting Ramnagar and Dehradun is set to launch on 18 July, giving travellers, pilgrims, and traders a direct rail link between two of Uttarakhand's most strategically significant towns. The move is expected to unlock fresh economic and tourism potential across the region.
Key Details of the New Service
The 15310/15309 Ramnagar–Dehradun Bi-Weekly Express will operate on Wednesdays and Fridays. Departing Ramnagar at 5:50 am, the train arrives in Dehradun at 12:40 pm. The return journey departs Dehradun at 3:55 pm, reaching Ramnagar at 11:30 pm the same day.
En route, the train halts at Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad, and Haridwar. Passengers from Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Bijnor, and Moradabad stand to benefit directly from the connectivity.
Who Pushed for It
The service comes in response to a long-standing demand from local residents and is credited largely to the sustained efforts of Garhwal Member of Parliament Anil Baluni, who consistently pursued the project and sought its approval from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The train is equipped with AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, Second Class Chair Car, and General Second Class coaches, catering to passengers across budget segments.
Tourism and Pilgrimage Impact
Ramnagar serves as the gateway to the Jim Corbett National Park, one of India's most visited wildlife reserves. The new train is expected to ease access for wildlife enthusiasts and tourists, while also benefiting pilgrims heading to religious sites near Ramnagar such as the Girija Devi Temple and Sitavani.
The Haridwar stopover adds significant value for pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra — covering Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri — who can now board the train from Ramnagar, disembark at Haridwar, complete their religious obligations, and return the same day.
Broader Economic Significance
As Uttarakhand's state capital, Dehradun is the region's commercial nerve centre. Direct rail access from Ramnagar is expected to stimulate trade, ease movement for students and government employees, and reduce dependence on road transport — which remains vulnerable to seasonal disruptions in the hill state.
With tourism, pilgrimage, education, and commerce all set to benefit, the launch of this service marks a meaningful addition to Uttarakhand's rail infrastructure.