The Chief Minister Harish Rawat sent a letter to the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday. In which CM requested to cooperate in all issues regarding railway in Uttarakhand. He urged for the formation of a joint venture/SPV between MDDA and any experienced organization of Government of India for the construction of fully equipped railway station with world class infrastructure.
In his letter the CM said that Harrawala project to be taken in PPP mode. It will not be a financial burden on Railway. The State Government is ready to take responsibility of land acquisitions. The State Government can develop Harrawala to Dehradun track as Multi Model Transit Corridor. The work of Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line, Tanakpur-Bageshwar railway line, Kashipur- Dhampur railway line and Saharanpur- Vikasnagar railway line needs to be on fast track.
The CM informed the Railway minister that state government had proposed RUB in Bhandaribagh, its approval cost is Rs. 45 crore 77 lakhs. A proposal has been sent to Railway Ministry through state’s PWD.
The number of platforms is less compared to the population. Dehradun serves as a gateway in Chardham Yatra season. There is a lack of buildings and facilities in Dehradun Railway station. The Uttarakhand Government has set the MDDA as a nodal agency for Harrawala self sustainable project. The MDDA has exercised with the technical experts of DRM Muradabad. The recommendations proposed in the projects such as development of world class railway station with state of art facilities, separate stations for freight and passengers, eight platforms at the proposed site as against 4-5 platforms at the current site, the proposed site will have option for expansion up to 13 platforms and world class residential and commercial facilities for railway staff.
Before this, the CM spoke with the Railway Minister telephonically.