NAINITAL: In a big boost to connectivity between Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand, the Nainital-Dehradun Janshatabdi Express was flagged off from Kathgodam station on Saturday.

The flagging-off was done through video-conferencing by Union minister for railways Piyush Goyal in the presence of former chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari , Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni and other BJP leaders.

The 12-coach train will run five days a week with halts at Haldwani, Lalkuan, Rudrapur city, Moradabad, Najimabad and Haridwar. Travel time between the two tourist destinations is expected to reduce by an hour. At present, it takes more than eight hours to cover the distance by road.

The train will leave Kathgodam at 5.15 am and covering a distance of 334 km will reach Dehradun at 12.30pm. One can also board the train from Dehradun at 4.15 pm and reach Kathgodam at 11.50 pm.

Goyal said, “The train will bring development to the region as it will connect important industrial cities such as Rudrapur and Moradabad.”

Baluni said that the train will be especially beneficial for students, traders and tourists.

“The central government is working towards better connectivity and this train will be beneficial for everyone. Till now, there was only one train from Kumaon division to the state capital but now with the addition of this train, people’s woes will decrease,” Baluni said.

Koshyari added that the train will boost tourism and connectivity in the state.

The fares for AC chair car, ordinary chair car and general categories have been fixed at Rs 555, Rs 165 and Rs 115 respectively.

Welcoming the move, Nainital resident Shamit Agarwal said that the train will be of great help in his frequent travels to the state capital. “I travel to Dehradun frequently for business purposes and the timings of the lone train do not suit me. There are also more buses and trains for New Delhi from Nainital than Dehradun. This new train will come to the rescue of many people like me.”

--With inputs from agencies

