Title - India Against Corruption’s (IAS) ultimatum to railway ministry.

SundayFEROZEPUR : The Abohar-Fazilka rail link sanctioned in 2003 of which the foundation stone was laid by the then Union Railway Minister Nitish Kumar in the presence of Parkash Singh Badal,Chief Minsiter in 2004, is yet to become operational.   The Abohar branch of India Against Corruption (IAS), asking the Railway Ministry the reasons for not operating the train on Abohar-Failka rail line of 42 kms,  has given seven days ultimatum clearing stating that in case no statement is issued on this account, they will be compelled to stage protest.    Giving details on this account, IAS members Ashok Garg, Manak Shah, Dheeraj Sharma and Raghuvir Singh Bakhar said, “The construction work on Abohar-Fazilka line has been completed for the last one year but there is no statement as to on what reasons the tour has not been made operational. They have given ultimatum to the railway minister to issue statement on this account within a week’s time otherwise they will be compelled, intensify the agitation on this account.   Scheduled to be operational in 2007, the link has, however, been delayed by four years. Due to inordinate delay, in the mean time, the cost of the rail link had gone up to Rs 214 crore whereas it was initially assessed at Rs 87 crore.   The rail link is bound to usher in an era of economic development in the border areas since Fazilka district would get direct access to Sriganganagar in Rajasthan as well as the southern and central parts of India.  With the start of this rail route, the daily passengers would be traveling more comfortable besides saving on account of heavy bus fares.   By linking Abohar and Fazilka by rail, it would be possible to run long distance trains from Udhampur in Jammu region to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. It will be a boon not only for the business community, but for the Army as well that had been following time and fuel consuming road routes so far.   On the other hand, while talking to one of the railway officers, he stated that no arrangement of technical and non-technical staff for the four halts falls on this line of to make this route operational.  He further said that the railway is already short of staff and it would not be appropriate to start the train without the posting of technical staff.   While talking to another local person, he said that the private transporters who are having monopoly on this route are not interested for the start of rail route and might be managing with the railways for its delay.