An express train connecting the two important Takhts of the Sikh Panth – Sri Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar – was flagged off by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal from Anandpur Sahib station on Monday.
The new train, it was announced, would run on a daily basis from Baisakhi between Nangal-Sri Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar via Samrala-Ludhiana and Jalandhar.
Mr. Prabhu said with this train a longstanding demand of Punjab has been met. He also announced the construction of six rail over bridges at Ropar, Garshankar, Kurali, Gharota, Bahlu and Morinda besides making Sri Anandpur Sahib a model railway station.
The Railway Minister said this year 3,500 unmanned railway crossings would be covered and 900 ROBs would be constructed across the country.
On the occasion, the two leaders also announced that the Indian Railways and Punjab government have decided to form a joint company to fast track planned rail projects in the State as well as take up new projects, including creation of ultra modern railway stations and laying new railway tracks.
Mr. Prabhu said the initiative would result in connecting missing rail links in the State besides modernising important stations. He said modernisation of the Amritsar station would be the first initiative under this partnership.
Mr. Badal said the new Amritsar railway station would have a shopping mall besides modern office spaces. He said with a decision on this already being taken in principle Punjab would be the first State in the country to taken up modernisation under this scheme.
