By: Vijay Kumar Verma, Editor-ICN Group
SHIMLA: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur flagged off a new express train between Baijnath Paprola in Himachal Pradesh to Pathankot in Punjab. The train was flagged off from railway station Baijnath-Paporla in Kangra district. The region has a religious significance too as a number of popular temples viz Baijnath, Kangra Devi, and Jwala Devi fall on this route. Another famous temple of Chintapurni has already been linked to railway connectivity with the extension of Delhi-Una train to Amb Andaura.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister said that this express service will not only help faster transport facility to the local public but also encourage tourists to visit this region with a faster mode. He told that the express train will cover the distance between Baijnath Paprola and Pathankot in 5 hours 5 minutes against nearly 7.15 hours earlier.
Jai Ram Thakur told that this narrow gauge railway track had come into existence in 1929 and after about 90 years an express train service had been introduced on this route which would reduce the travel time by about two and a half hours. He said that efforts would be made to big trains on this track and the matter regarding upgradation of the track would be taken before the Union Railways Ministry.
Firozpur Railway Division has made four coach express train which includes one first class chair car, two general service coaches and one general cum guard van. The train will have stoppage at Palampur, Nagrota, Kangra and Jawalamukhi.
All the major stations on the route have been provided Wifi facility to facilitate the commuters. The Chief Minister told that the consultancy work for providing heritage look to Kangra station had also been awarded was likely to be completed by 10 March, 2019.
Divisional Railways Manager Vivek Kumar said that this express train would give a new boost to tourism development in the region. He said that all the trains plying on this section had been refurbished so that the tourist could enjoy the scenic beauty of the area.
