TRADERS TO RAILWAYS MINISTER: Provide direct rail connectivity between Amritsar-Ferozepur

Ludhiana/ Amritsar, February 19, 2013: In a representation sent to the Railways Minister Pawan Bansal, the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal state president Amrit Lal Jain has urged for a direct rail connectivity between Amritsar and Ferozepur.

He apprised the minister that there is no direct rail link between Amritsar and Ferozpur. Deputy Chief Engineer (Railways) from the engineering department who came from Delhi has surveyed for the establishment of the above rail link.

In recent years three surveys have already been done to directly connect Majha and Malwa region of Punjab through Mallanwala Khas and Gharyala (Patti) on the Amritsar-Khemkharan line (25.47km), he said, adding with this Amritsar Ferozpur will get direct rail link which it is use to enjoy via Kasur before the Partition.

With this new rail link not only distance between Amritsar and Ferozpur will be shortened as at present one has to go via Jalandhar to reach Ferozpur, he pointed out.

He further said direct rail link between Amritsar to Ferozpur will have benefits such as a distance of about 240 kms would be shortened from Amritsar to Mumbai via this route, Amritsar being a very historical and religious place having Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and it will attract thousands of tourist via this route. At present about 70,000 tourists visit Amritsar for paying obeisance at Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple and also visit retreat ceremony at Attari/Wagha Border and thousands among them go to J&K to visit Mata Vaishno Devi shrine from Amritsar for pilgrimage.

Jain hoped that this route will give a boost to tourism trade and industries and export import from Mumbai/Kandla port would be much easier and this belt which is rice growing and Malwa belt known for its cotton will get a boost for export of these items. Amritsar-Mumbai rail link through this route which will be shorted by 240kms will entirely give the facelift and bring new industry, employment and growth of Majha and Malwa belts.

Further, he said track from Amritsar via Jalandhar-Ludhiana-Ambala-Delhi at present is too busy for starting new passenger and goods trains. As per their suggestion, if just a track of 25.47 kms is laid down railway can start number of new trains. He also apprised the minister that this new rail link will prove very beneficial as second Defence line.

He revealed that Planning Commission has also cleared this railway line and now it needs his (Minister for Railways) urgent attention and Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal hopes that he will announce his approval in the coming railway budget to lay down railway line of  25.47 kms.

At the end, he said “the whole of Majha and Malwa is looking for your (Minister for Railways) announcement in the railway budget very eagerly.