The prime minister also inaugurated 100 per cent electrification of railway tracks in the state

Equipped with state-of-the-art amenities for passengers, the first such train for Uttarakhand reduces the journey time between Dehradun and the national capital to four-and-a-half hours from the six hours and 10 minutes it takes on the Shatabdi Express

Addressing the flag-off ceremony, PM Modi said he just returned from a tri-nation tour and can say that the whole world looks towards India with great hope

The prime minister also mentioned various road and rail projects undertaken in Uttarakhand by the BJP's "double-engine government" to boost connectivity

PM Modi mentioned the efforts underway to upgrade the facilities for Chardham pilgrims through reconstruction projects in Kedarnath and Badrinath, and those aimed at expanding the health infrastructure across the state