More train services on Bathinda-Ambala route sought

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 16

In the absence of any train service on the Bathinda-Ambala section from 7.30 am to 2.15 pm, passengers at the city railway station have to wait for around eight hours to board a train.

City residents lament that once they miss the 7.30 am 54552 Bathinda-Ambala Cantt passenger train they have no other train available on the route till 2.15 pm. The Railway Passenger Welfare Association (RPWA) has also taken up the issue with the railway authorities, but in vain.

Manpreet Singh, a resident of Pratap Nagar, said, “The railway higher authorities should understand that every citizen cannot afford the hefty Ambala-Bathinda bus fares. The lax attitude of the authorities shows that they are least bothered about what the public need.”

A railway employee, pleading anonymity, said, “In wake of a heavy rush of passengers during the daytime, we have urged the higher authorities to start at least one train service on the route, but so far we have not received any response.”

Similarly, there is no train service from 11 am to 5.30 pm from Ambala to Bathinda. He said there was a passenger train from Bathinda to Ambala Cantt around 10.30 am, but it was discontinued without citing any reason.

Station superintendent Ramswaroop Meena could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.