Himalayan Rail Link: Tanakpur-Bageshwar Line DPR Completed

The Ministry of Railways has completed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed 170-km Tanakpur–Bageshwar rail line in Uttarakhand, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha.

The project is estimated at ₹48,692 crore; however, the DPR indicates limited traffic potential. As a result, the proposal will undergo stakeholder consultations—including with the Uttarakhand government—and require clearances from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance before it can be sanctioned.

The Minister also noted a significant rise in rail infrastructure investment in Uttarakhand. Annual budgetary allocations, which averaged ₹187 crore during 2009–14, have increased sharply to ₹4,641 crore in FY 2025–26.

As of April 1, 2025, three new railway lines totaling 216 km have been sanctioned in the state, with an estimated cost of ₹40,384 crore. Of this, 16 km has already been commissioned at an expenditure of ₹19,898 crore.

Despite concerns over economic viability, the DPR signals the Centre’s commitment to enhancing strategic connectivity in the Himalayan region.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.