Title - Holy city gives thumbs up to rail budget

Amritsar:
Union Railway Minister Pawan Bansal’s maiden railway budget has got thumbs up from holy city residents.The announcements of new trains and better connectivity have been lapped up by residents.With the Railway Minister announcing a new train from Amritsar to Lal Kuan in Uttarakhand, residents, especially farmers from the district, felt that they would benefit immensely.Balkar Singh, a farmer, said, “The area (Lal Kuan) has a sizeable population of Punjabi farmers. It will help them keep connected with the homeland.”Punjabi farmers in large numbers operate agricultural and dairy farms in Uttarakhand.The residents though welcomed the proposal of a new train between Chandigarh and Amritsar, they said that it might not become very popular as the route increases the distance between the two cities.Naveen Puri, an advocate, who frequents between the two cities said, “There is no direct rail route between Amritsar and Chandigarh. The train would have to go through Ludhiana which increases the distance by around 80 kilometres.”The Railways had previously started Amritsar-Chandigarh Duronto Express which failed to get good response from passengers. The train which was later given halts at Jalandhar and Ludhiana was renamed Amritsar-Chandigarh express.A student, Vandana said, “The train takes more than five hours to complete the journey between Amritsar and Chandigarh, whereas an early morning bus completes the same journey in three-and-a-half hours.” She said it would have been better if a new direct rail link between Amritsar and Chandigarh was established.Residents have also welcomed the increase frequency of trains between Amritsar and Indore from once a week to twice a week. The businessmen and tourists have welcomed the proposed rail link between Amritsar and Ferozepur which would shorten the distance between Amritsar and Mumbai by 240 kilometres.“Besides faster delivery of goods and decrease in transport costs, tourists too would spend less time travelling,” said a shopkeeper, Amanpreet Singh, who have relatives in Mumbai.But the Railway Minister failed to acknowledge city residents’ aspiration for a direct connectivity between Amritsar and Anandpur Sahib.The residents wished fulfillment of promises soon.Former Deputy Station Superintendent, NS Gabria, said, “It will be the best budget for the city if everything what the railway minister has announced is implemented on the ground.” He said normally it takes years for the governments to fulfil their promises.Resident Gurpal Singh said, “Though it seems good for the general public, it is a populist budget.” He said the minister contradicted himself when he did not increase the fares but increased charges for services (tatkal, reservation and cancellation).Dr Sandeep Aggarwal said increase in charges for services would impact the common man.Advocate Kuljit Singh said five per cent increase in freight charges would further hit the business community. He said increase in charges would ultimately be passed on to common man.

Commuters speak

It can be the best budget for the city if everything what the railway minister has announced is implemented on the ground. Normally, it takes years for the governments to fulfil their promises.

NS Gabria, Former Deputy station superintendent

The area (Lal Kuan) has a sizeable population of Punjabi farmers. The train between Amritsar and Lal Kuan will help us keep connected with our homeland.

Balkar Singh, Farmer

Five per cent increase in freight charges would further hit the business community. He said increase in charges would ultimately be passed on to common man.

Kuljit Singh, Lawyer