Title - Inaugural trip fetches revenue of Rs 10K

Abohar : The inaugural run of the 54559-Bathinda-Abohar-Fazilka passenger train earned the Railways Rs 10,000. Minister of State for Railways KH Muniyappa flagged off the train at 11.12 am here today. All the seven coaches were packed to capacity by 10 am. Many commuters had to undertake the entire journey of 42 km while standing. A commuter had to pay Rs nine only for the journey while buses used to charge Rs 23 per head.Bharawan Bai of Dhaani Kadaka Singh complained that she along with six others of her family had to miss the train as it was quite difficult to board the train. Separate compartment for women should be earmarked, she said.Madan Lal Bhalotia and Pawan Nagori, members of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee, Hanuman Dass Goyal, vice-president, Railway Passengers Association, and Teachers Club chairman Captain SK Dutta (retd) demanded that the train must have minimum of 10 coaches keeping in view the overwhelming response it got today. Some of the commuters carried the Congress party flags during the trains’ inaugural journey.The rail link provides direct connectivity between Abohar and Fazilka towns. Earlier, the rail connectivity between the two towns was via Bathinda and was immensely longer than the direct link of 42 km.The direct rail line would serve as an economical transport medium.The 54559-Bathinda-Abohar passenger train, which has been extended up to Fazilka will depart from Abohar at 11.05 am to reach Fazilka at 12.25 pm. On return journey, the 54560 passenger train will now originate from Fazilka at 12.45 pm to reach Abohar at 2.05 pm. It would continue its onward journey to reach Bathinda at 4.10 p.m.