Uttarakhand's Tanakpur-Bageshwar Rail Project: Challenges and Future Prospects

The proposed Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line in Uttarakhand, spanning 170 km, is projected to cost Rs 48,692 crore. Despite the completion of the Detailed Project Report, traffic projections remain low, posing challenges for approval from stakeholders like NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance, as noted by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The proposed 170-kilometer Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail line in Uttarakhand has raised concerns due to its high projected cost of Rs 48,692 crore and low anticipated traffic. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the Lok Sabha, revealing that a detailed survey has been completed.

Vaishnaw highlighted that for further approval and sanction, the project requires discussions with essential stakeholders, including state governments, and endorsements from authorities like the NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance.

The minister noted the challenges in securing approval, emphasizing that the process is ongoing and no fixed timelines can be established for the project's execution.

(With inputs from agencies.)