Vande Bharat skips Batala; residents, traders dismayed

With the industrial city of Batala already bereft of railway services, the non-stoppage of the newly introduced Vande Bharat train from Amritsar to Katra comes as yet another blow with both businessmen and residents claiming that this development has upset the regional economic growth of Northern Punjab in a big way.

Operated and maintained by Northern Railway, the semi-high-speed service is said to have enhanced passenger comfort, reduced travel time and has improved regional connectivity. However, Batalvis have missed out on all the benefits the train has to offer.

The train, introduced on August 10, connects Amritsar with Katra in J&K. Commencing its journey from Amritsar, it halts at Beas, Jalandhar city, Pathankot cantonment and Jammu Tawi. A senior railway official said Batala was not considered, despite being an industrial hub, “because of the fact that it lies out of the way.”

Jagjot Singh Sandhu, a city-based social activist, and backed by a powerful section of residents, has written a letter to the General Manager of Northern Railway, urging the authorities to include Batala in the scheme of things.

“Batala is the eighth largest city of Punjab in terms of population. It holds immense historical, religious and cultural significance. Moreover, it is one of the country’s major business centres known for its foundry industry, agricultural machinery and machine tools. Industrialists, technicians and workers regularly travel to Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and other states to facilitate business activity,” he said.