Flagged off by CM, train never returned to Baijnath

Ravinder Sood

PALAMPUR, April 15

A new express train, flagged off by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on February 6 on the narrow gauge track between Pathankot and Baijnath, has not returned from Pathankot.

The Chief Minister, on the inaugural function of this train, had stated that in the first phase the train would run between Pathankot and Baijnath daily. It will start from Pathankot at 9.20 am and will reach Baijnath at 2.25 pm, covering a distance of 100 km in five hours.

Earlier, the distance was covered in more than seven hours. However, after the inaugural function, the train was never seen on the track.

The railway authorities had announced it a New Year gift to residents of the Kangra valley.

Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that because of the maintenance of the track, the rail services had been suspended temporarily. It was also revealed that the roofs of new coaches were leaking and the same were under repair. But the train services could not be restored.

The Kangra valley railway line is in the state of neglect. The Railways has made no efforts to improve the rail track.

The British had laid down the railway line in 1932 linking all important and religious towns of Kangra and part of Mandi districts. At present, seven trains are plying on this route daily covering 33 stations passing through Nurpur, Jwali, Jwalamukhi Road, Kangra, Nagrota Bagwan, Chamunda, Palampur, Baijnath and Jogindernagar, which are also the major tourist attractions.

Inaugurated on Feb 6

• The Chief Minister, on the inauguration of this train, had stated that the train would run between Pathankot-Baijnath daily
• It will start from Pathankot at 9.20 am and will reach Baijnath at 2.25 pm, covering a distance of 100 km in five hours
• Earlier, the distance was covered in more than seven hours
• However, after the inaugural function, the train was never seen on the track.