RailEnquiry

NAGPUR: With P K Bansal of Congress at the helm of railway ministry, Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar is very positive about his meeting with him to put forth various demands for Vidarbha."If not all, I expect a couple of trains from Nagpur to Delhi and Ajmer. I have also demanded a direct train to Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. A connected train to Bangalore is also need of the hour. Bansal has also promised to start a new tri-weekly between Nagpur and Secunderabad announced in the last budget," said Muttemwar.Muttemwar drew Bansal's attention towards development of Ajni as world class station to ease congestion at main station. Earlier, Nagpur was shortlisted to be developed as world class station but the 100-year-old station building is a heritage monument."There is absolutely no scope for expansion of the existing building and providing additional facilities in and around it," he told Bansal. Bansal is expected to present his maiden railway budget next month.Muttemwar added Nagpur has become overcrowded and passengers face inconvenience for want of adequate basic facilities. Though some works like shifting of parcel office, development of parking area and waiting halls are taken up, it is inconsequential for a major station like Nagpur which has witnessed heavy traffic over the years.Nagpur Railway Hospital was chosen to be developed as a medical college. The announcement in this regard was made in budget speeches in 2008 and 2009, but no concrete action has been taken so far.

Muttemwar pushed for his earlier demand for Duronto train between Nagpur and Delhi. There are lot of business interests between the two cities and introduction of a Duronto on this sector would be of great benefit. "Bansal assured appropriate action in the matter," said Muttemwar.

On a new train to Ajmer, Muttemwar said Vidarbha has around 25-30 lakh Muslim population. Similar is the situation in the neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. "A large number of Muslims visit Ajmer Sharif dargah. To fulfil the demand, a new train needs to be introduced from Nagpur to Ajmer," said Muttemwar.

The Congress leader also raised the issue of reconstruction of railway overbridge (ROB) at Ajni which is 125-year-old. During his visit to the city on April 11, 2011, minister of state for railways K H Muniyappa was convinced that ROB is in a bad condition and needs reconstruction.