IR WDM3A 18949 54559 ABS 120318_1
Ludhiana's WDM3A 18949 in the midst of running-round at Abohar Junction with train 54559, the 09:25 Bathinda Jn - Fazilka Jn Passenger. Monday 12th March 2018. This runs via the new line from Abohar to Fazilka, opened on 15th July 2012 it still has yet to get more than two trains each way a day!
A relavant snippet form the Hindustan Times of 15/07/2012 read: "Abohar and Fazilka, 42-km apart, have no rail link for decades. In February 2004, the-then railway minister, Nitish Kumar, had laid the foundation stone of one and agreed to open it by 2007. Delay completion has shot up the cost to Rs 210 crore from the original Rs 88 crore.
The physical work, including the building of platforms en route, was over long ago and even teams were deployed at the new stations between Fazilka and Abohar. Only the train, the main requirement, had not been made operational.
The rail link will not only boost trade on the country's entire western border but also give a swift mode of transport to the army. "The business activity in Abohar and Fazilka will pick up," said Vikram Sharma, a businessman of Abohar. "Right now, it is dormant." "Defence forces need new trains in the region," said captain MS Bedi (retired) of Fazilka.
Representatives of the Abohar chapter of the India Against Corruption citizens' movement of social activist Anna Hazare had been on hunger strike at their town to demand the train service to Fazilka. The relay fast continued for more than 60 days, and on Sunday, the participants were still on strike.
"We won't cease our agitation until we see the train running on the ground," said Ashok Garg of India Against Corruption. "In papers, it's running since July 1.""
IR WDM3A 18949 54559 ABS 120318_1
Ludhiana's WDM3A 18949 in the midst of running-round at Abohar Junction with train 54559, the 09:25 Bathinda Jn - Fazilka Jn Passenger. Monday 12th March 2018. This runs via the new line from Abohar to Fazilka, opened on 15th July 2012 it still has yet to get more than two trains each way a day!
A relavant snippet form the Hindustan Times of 15/07/2012 read: "Abohar and Fazilka, 42-km apart, have no rail link for decades. In February 2004, the-then railway minister, Nitish Kumar, had laid the foundation stone of one and agreed to open it by 2007. Delay completion has shot up the cost to Rs 210 crore from the original Rs 88 crore.
The physical work, including the building of platforms en route, was over long ago and even teams were deployed at the new stations between Fazilka and Abohar. Only the train, the main requirement, had not been made operational.
The rail link will not only boost trade on the country's entire western border but also give a swift mode of transport to the army. "The business activity in Abohar and Fazilka will pick up," said Vikram Sharma, a businessman of Abohar. "Right now, it is dormant." "Defence forces need new trains in the region," said captain MS Bedi (retired) of Fazilka.
Representatives of the Abohar chapter of the India Against Corruption citizens' movement of social activist Anna Hazare had been on hunger strike at their town to demand the train service to Fazilka. The relay fast continued for more than 60 days, and on Sunday, the participants were still on strike.
"We won't cease our agitation until we see the train running on the ground," said Ashok Garg of India Against Corruption. "In papers, it's running since July 1.""