Railways begins survey for double-track project

Our Correspondent

Abohar, December 22

The Railways have started a survey for double tracking of the Bathinda-Abohar-Sriganganagar section. The proposal was listed in the Rail Budget presented in Parliament on February 26, 2013.

Ranveer Singh, senior traffic manager, held a meeting with station superintendent Dina Nath Goyal and other officials here today. Another meeting was organised at Sriganganagar.

The survey team has collected information from the district administration, Food Corporation of India, Central Ware Housing Corporation, Market Committee, Municipal Council and Cotton Corporation of India. Officials are trying to compile data on the average transportation of commodities and the number of passengers who have to travel by buses due to inadequate rail facilities.

At present, 28 trains run on the track. Long-distance trains bound for New Delhi, Rishikesh and Howrah are often late. Even today, the Railways had to cancel trains for Sarai Rohilla, New Delhi and Howrah as the incoming trains were late by 10 hours. The Railway Passengers’ Association (North Zone) and Consumer Movement, besides other NGOs and veteran political activists, had submitted memorandums demanding laying of a double track to ensure punctuality and explore the possibilities of connecting the area with Jaisalmer and Jammu.