Railways responds positively on suggestions by Sanjeev Arora, MP

Ludhiana, January 18, 2023: Northern Railway has informed Sanjeev Arora, MP (Rajya Sabha) that his suggestions are very important in improving the railway services.  Ashutosh Gangal, General Manager, Northern Railway, Baroda House, New Delhi, in a communication to Arora mentioned that “I assure you that all suggestions have been thoroughly examined at the highest level”. 

Gangal further mentioned that after going through, the suggestions related to other railways and other offices have been forwarded to them, so that appropriate decision can be taken.  In his communication he also mentioned about action taken/comments on the suggestions related to Northern Railway.

Arora while stating that current situation of Ludhiana station especially platforms is in poor state had suggested that it needs major infrastructural upliftment/revamp. Now, Gangal has informed him that tender for redevelopment of Ludhiana station has been awarded on December 19, 2022, and work is expected to start shortly.

Gangal has further apprised Arora that there will be more trains stopping at Dhandari Kalan once redevelopment of existing Railway Station starts. Arora had suggested that to decongest existing railway station some trains should start operating from Dhandari Kalan. 

Arora had also suggested that railway crossings is a major issue and hence he requested to consider construction of ROB at Neelon Canal and Ishmeet Singh Chowk in Model Town of Ludhiana. In reply to his suggestion, Gangal has stated that this can be processed for sanction on cost sharing basis, subject to joint site feasibility, consent of state government for sharing of cost. A letter in this regard has been written to Chief Secretary, Punjab and reply is awaited.

Giving another suggestion to the Railways, Arora had stated that Ludhiana being an industrial town thousands of commuters from his constituency adds up a major chunk of work force which rely on railway services. The existing Shatabdi Express 12037/12038 falls short to the demands of commuters travelling to and fro from Ludhiana to Delhi. Therefore, he had requested to increase the number of bogies and draft scheduling plans for introduction of new Shatabdi trains with a gap of 3 hours from existing schedule. In reply, Gangal has informed Arora that this train is now running with a new number i.e. 22485/86 (New Delhi-Moga bi-weekly) and 22479/80 (between Lohian Khas-New Delhi 5 days a week). So, this is available on all 7 days of the week. It is now affordable for non-Shatabdi passengers also. Yard remodeling is also in progress.  After commissioning of Ludhiana yard remodeling, feasibility will be re-examined.

It may be mentioned here that Arora in reply to a letter addressed to him by DRM, Ferozepur Division of Northern Railway had given suggestions a couple of months ago. His suggestions were also discussed in the meeting of MPs held on November 16 last year of Ambala and Ferozepur Divisions of the Railways in Chandigarh.

Arora said, “Through various platforms and forums, I have been listening to the woes of the commuters and thus, highlighted few issues with suggestions pertaining to Ludhiana District with the hope that his suggestions will help making life easier for public in large.” He thanked the Railways for considering his suggestions in the right perspective. He said he will continue pursing all these issues till these are fully accepted and implemented.