Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the inaugural service of the biweekly Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, marking the first ever direct express connection between Ramnagar and Dehradun in Uttarakhand. The launch was attended virtually by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The ministry said the service aims to boost connectivity across the two regions. The ministry described the new train as addressing a long?pending demand and strengthening rail links between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions. Officials said the date for commencement of regular passenger operations has not been specified and is being planned. The Express will operate every Wednesday and Friday; Train No 15310 will depart Ramnagar at 05:50 hrs and arrive at Dehradun at 12:40 hrs, while Train No 15309 will depart Dehradun at 15:55 hrs and reach Ramnagar at 23:30 hrs, with halts at Kashipur, Roshanpur, Pipalsana, Moradabad, Najibabad and Haridwar. The train will comprise AC Second Class, AC Third Class, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, Second Sitting and General Second Class coaches to offer travel options across different categories. Officials said residents of Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar and Dehradun districts in Uttarakhand, and Moradabad and Bijnor districts in Uttar Pradesh stand to benefit, including students, farmers and traders. The service is expected to promote tourism and pilgrimage by improving access to Jim Corbett National Park, the Girija Devi temple on a rock in the Kosi river near Ramnagar and the ancient sites of Sitamadhi and Sitavani. Vaishnaw noted that the new service would strengthen rail connectivity between the Kumaon and Garhwal regions and that Rishikesh railway station will be developed as a feeder station to ease pressure on Haridwar. A master plan is being prepared to create additional capacity and improve connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Haridwar and Rishikesh. Officials said the measures aim to enhance convenience for passengers and support regional economic activity.