The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) is set to be extended from Modipuram in Meerut to Lakshman Jhula near Rishikesh following an agreement between the governments of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). The proposed 150-km extension is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, offering faster travel options for pilgrims, tourists and local residents travelling between Delhi and key destinations in Uttarakhand.

According to officials, the new corridor will originate at Modipuram station in Meerut and pass through Muzaffarnagar before entering Uttarakhand near Roorkee. It will then continue through Haridwar, including the area around Har Ki Pauri, before terminating at Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh. Of the total route length, 72 km will fall within Uttar Pradesh, while the remaining 78 km will be located in Uttarakhand. The extension will build upon the existing Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor, which spans 82 km and was inaugurated earlier this year.

The project has now entered the planning phase, with preparations underway for the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Uttarakhand has appointed Additional Secretary Reena Joshi as the nodal officer to coordinate work on the project, while NCRTC has also designated a nodal officer for the initiative. The Uttar Pradesh government has already conveyed its approval, paving the way for further technical and financial assessments.

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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the proposal gained momentum after discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. According to the state government, support from the Centre and coordination among the concerned agencies helped clear the final administrative hurdles required to move the project forward.

Dhami described the extension as a major step toward strengthening Uttarakhand’s transport infrastructure. He said improved rail connectivity would provide faster, safer and more modern travel for visitors and residents while supporting economic growth in the region. The chief minister added that the state government is working closely with the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government and NCRTC to ensure steady progress on the ambitious project.

Once completed, the extended Namo Bharat corridor is expected to transform travel between the National Capital Region and Uttarakhand’s major religious and tourist centres. Improved access to Haridwar and Rishikesh could benefit the tourism sector, ease travel during peak pilgrimage seasons and create new opportunities for employment and regional development. Officials believe the project will play a key role in enhancing mobility while supporting long-term economic growth across both states.

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