Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and Minister of State Sanjay Sharma Inaugurate and Lay Foundation Stones for Road Projects Worth Rs 21.20 Crore
Jaipur, Sept 2026: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav and Rajasthan Minister of State for Forests (Independent Charge) Sanjay Sharma on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for road projects worth Rs 21.20 crore in Alwar district. They also flagged off the Ranikhet Express at Malakhera railway station, marking the commencement of its scheduled halt there.
The ministers laid the foundation stone for the 18-km Kushalgarh-Thank You Board road, being constructed at a cost of Rs 20 crore, and inaugurated the 4-km road from Pratap Bandh Tiraha to Manch Ka Tiraha in Alwar city, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Yadav said the state and Central governments were continuously working to strengthen the road network in the district as part of their focus on overall development. Improved road connectivity, he said, would facilitate the movement of residents and pilgrims while strengthening links between rural and urban areas.
Yadav said better connectivity would also provide a boost to tourism in the Sariska region, potentially contributing to increased incomes for local residents. He said several infrastructure initiatives were being taken forward, including road construction to improve access to Bhartrihari Dham, Pandupole Hanuman Ji Temple and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, as well as efforts to secure Ramsar site status for Siliserh Lake.
He said the commencement of the Ranikhet Express halt at Malakhera fulfilled a long-standing demand of local residents and would provide improved rail connectivity to people in surrounding rural and urban areas.
Yadav said railway stations at Alwar, Rajgarh, Govindgarh, Khairthal and Kherli were being developed under the Amrit Bharat scheme to provide modern passenger facilities. Train halts had also been introduced at Khairthal, Alwar and Rajgarh stations, he said. He added that efforts had been made to retain the Karnpura railway station in Alwar, where a new double-storey station building is now being developed.
Sanjay Sharma said road, rail and other infrastructure projects were being prioritised to support the overall development of Alwar and improve public convenience. He said the newly inaugurated Pratap Bandh Tiraha-Manch Ka Tiraha road would ease local travel, while the Kushalgarh-Thank You Board road would further strengthen connectivity and facilitate travel for pilgrims visiting Bhartrihari Dham and Pandupole Hanuman Ji Maharaj.
Sharma said the approved road from Dhaipedhi to Natni Ka Bara would be taken up soon. He added that action had been initiated to blacklist a contractor for negligence in the work. He also said a Rs 25-crore interlocking road project from Sadar Gate to Pandupole and Kali Ghati to Tohla Gate had been sanctioned and would be constructed shortly.
He said Bhartrihari Dham would be developed on the lines of the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, with the process of releasing 20 bighas of land from the Forest Department at an advanced stage. He added that the state government was approving funds under various schemes for construction and strengthening of roads across the district.
Sharma said the Ranikhet Express halt would strengthen rail connectivity in the region and noted that a new, grand railway station in Alwar was being developed at a cost of Rs 112 crore.
Jaipur Division DRM Ravi Jain said the halt at Malakhera had been introduced keeping passenger convenience in mind. Train No. 15014 Kathgodam-Jaisalmer Ranikhet Express will arrive at Malakhera at 7:46 am and depart at 7:48 am. Train No. 15013 Jaisalmer-Kathgodam Ranikhet Express will arrive at 5:20 pm and depart at 5:22 pm.
Participation in Seva Sankalp Yatra
Yadav and Sharma also welcomed participants of the Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Sankalp Yatra when it reached Alwar under the Seva Sankalp campaign. They joined the motorcycle rally and participated in the journey, highlighting the themes of service and commitment.
As part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, the ministers also planted saplings at Gurunanak Vatika and conveyed a message of environmental conservation.
Yadav said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's life journey from Vadnagar to Varanasi represented a journey of service, dedication and nation-building. He said the yatra was taking the message of Modi's 25 years of public service and nation-building to people and reinforcing the commitment to service, good governance and a developed India.
Ahmedabad West MP Dinesh Makwana, District Chief Balbir Singh Chhillar, Alwar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sumanlata Agrawal, District Collector Dr Artika Shukla, Deputy Mayor Ajay Puniya, Rohit Bohra, public representatives, prominent citizens and a large number of local residents were present on the occasion.
