1. Green Signal: The Railway Board has sanctioned a special direct train linking Yeshwantpur (Bengaluru) with Rishikesh, marking the first-ever direct rail service between Karnataka’s capital and Uttarakhand.
2. Service Schedule:

  • 06597 Yeshwantpur–Rishikesh Express Special departs Yeshwantpur at 7:00 am on June 19, 26, and July 3, arriving Rishikesh at 10:20 am the same day.
  • 06598 Rishikesh–Yeshwantpur Express Special leaves Rishikesh at 5:55 pm on June 21, 28, and July 5, reaching Yeshwantpur by 7:45 pm Monday.
    3. Route & Stoppages: The train will halt at Yelahanka, Hindupur, Dharmavaram, Anantapur, Dhone, Kurnool City, Kacheguda, Kazipet, Balharshah, Nagpur, Bhopal, Bina, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra Cantonment, Mathura, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Ghaziabad, Meerut City, Muzaffarnagar, Tapri, Roorkee, and Haridwar Junction in both directions.
    4. Pilgrimage & Tourism Boost: Rishikesh—renowned as the “Yoga Capital of the World” on the banks of the Ganga—draws pilgrims, spiritual seekers, and adventure tourists, and this direct link will greatly enhance accessibility.
    5. Operational Benefits: By catering to rising passenger demand, the SWR aims to decongest indirect routes, offer seamless connectivity, and support both religious tourism and cultural exchange.

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