Sadda Singh Wala set to become model rly stn

Bharat Khanna

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 16

When rural railway stations in the state are struggling for basic amenities, the small Sadda Singh Wala railway station is poised to become a model railway station. The railway station, about 12 km from Mansa, is being developed as one of the best railway stations in rural Punjab.

Being located between Mansa and Bathinda railway line belonging to the Northern Railway, the station was earlier having a single line which is now converted to a seven-line station. The signalling system used here was the solid state interlocking which is the world’s latest technology and major stations like Bathinda and Mansa railway stations still do not have such advanced system of operation. With a DG set and solar panel installed at the station, there has been an uninterrupted power supply.

“With extra parking facility, the station can be developed as a loading station for food grains and unloading station for fertilisers. This would prove a relief to farmers as this will save time and cost of transportation. With such development, the commercial value of the surrounding area was bound to increase significantly and it will further help in the overall development,” said Gurpyar Singh, a resident of Sadda Singh Wala village.

Besides, basic amenities such as drinking water, access road, benches and lavatories, foot overbridge to cross the lines and dedicated passenger waiting hall are adding value to the station. Tree plantation is also done to make the environment better. It is being developed by Talwandi Sabo Power Limited which along with the Northern Railway has taken a number of initiatives to build the station as one of the model rural railway stations and is using the track for movement of goods trains for carrying coal.

“Earlier, passengers were struggling for basic facilities at the station, said Anand Gupta, AVP, Projects TSPL.

“Sadda Singh Wala station is one of the best rural railway stations of Punjab. Besides technical upgrade, our focus is on creating basic amenities for travellers. Our aim was to link our business with the development of society to create a long-term sustainable impact,” he said.