MLA Kalia seeks upgradation of Jalandhar Cantonment station

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 31

MLA Manoranjan Kalia has taken up the matter of the upgradation of the Jalandhar cantonment railway station with Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu.

In a letter written recently, the MLA has asked him to upgrade the facilities at the railway station, an important station connecting Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.

In the letter written to the Union Minister, Kalia said that the Jalandhar Cantt was one of the busiest railway stations from where most of the trains arrived from the western, southern, and eastern parts of the country en route to Katra, Jammu Tawi, Udhampur, Katra.

Keeping this in mind, he had sought a 24x7 pantry kitchen to be made available with food and snacks and also a new waiting hall with well-equipped waiting rooms constructed at the station.

He also demanded the extension of shelter sheds on both sides of platform No. 1 and 2/3 keeping in mind all seasons.

The MLA has also sought a fresh RO system for safe drinking water for the passengers. Besides asking to make adequate security arrangements for passengers during night, he also asked for the construction of urinals on platform No. 2/3. The need for the enhancement of the number of reservation counters and ticket counters had also been expressed.

As most of the trains touch the Jalandhar cantonment railway station at night, a proposal for a shuttle service had been made between Phagwara and Jalandhar Cantt, Jalandhar City and Kartarpur which would run after one hour up and down for the benefit of passengers. Another proposal pertaining to the beautification of the platform with more LED/CFL light fittings was also given.

The MLA also requested the Union Minister that the railway parking space should be increased, keeping in mind the rush of vehicles in coming times. A request for the allocation of funds for Railway Colony of Jalandhar Cantonment was also made in the letter.

Many other proposals, including the introduction of new trains up and down from Amritsar and Mumbai and Mumbai and Amritsar Daily, Amritsar and Chennai and Chennai and Amritsar daily, Amritsar and Vishakhapatnam and Vishakhapatnam and Amritsar (Heera Kund Express) with daily frequency, restoration of the Jalandhar City-Katra and Katra-Jalandhar City Passenger train which used to run during trial a few months ago, had been made. The MLA also sought to increase the number of coaches in the Amritsar-Haridwar and Haridwar-Amritsar Jan Shatabdi Express.