Union Minister of State S. Ravneet Singh flags off new weekly express connecting Tanakpur with Takht Sri Hazur Sahib; pays obeisance at gurdwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib
Tanakpur(The Uttam Hindu): Union Minister of State S. Ravneet Singh today Flagged off the newly introduced 17631/17632 Nanded–Tanakpur–Nanded Weekly Express, describing the new rail service as a historic step that strengthens religious tourism, regional connectivity, and national integration.
The flagging-off ceremony was virtually attended by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw ji, Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ajay Tamta ji, Union Minister of State, joined physically whose parliamentary constituency is Tanakpur while Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami joined the event virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, S. Ravneet Singh said that the new weekly train establishes a direct rail link between Tanakpur, the gateway to the revered Maa Purnagiri Dham, and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, one of the five Takhts of Sikhism. He said the service will greatly benefit pilgrims, tourists and the general public by providing seamless connectivity between North and South India. The newly introduced weekly express will operate from Nanded every Sunday, reaching Tanakpur on Tuesday morning, while the return service will depart Tanakpur every Tuesday, providing a direct and convenient rail connection between the two important religious destinations.
The Minister noted that Uttarakhand shares a deep and enduring bond with the Sikh community. The Terai region, particularly Udham Singh Nagar, is home to a vibrant Sikh population that has made an immense contribution to the agricultural and economic development of the region since Independence. He said that this rail service further strengthens the historic and cultural ties between Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra, making pilgrimage and people-to-people interaction more accessible than ever before.
Earlier in the day, S. Ravneet Singh paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Nanakmatta Sahib, one of the holiest Sikh shrines associated with the first Udasi of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Offering prayers for the peace, prosperity and progress of the nation, the Minister said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji's timeless message of Naam Japo, Kirat Karo and Vand Chhako continues to inspire generations and serves as a guiding light for building a harmonious and inclusive society.
He further stated that the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently worked towards preserving and promoting the nation's rich spiritual and cultural heritage while simultaneously expanding modern infrastructure. Initiatives such as enhanced railway connectivity to important pilgrimage centres reflect the Government's commitment to making religious travel safer, more comfortable and accessible for devotees across the country.
The Minister congratulated the Ministry of Railways, the Government of Uttarakhand and all stakeholders for making the new service a reality, expressing confidence that the train would emerge as an important lifeline for pilgrims, farmers, traders, students and families travelling between the regions.