Demand for Ludhiana-Ferozepur route double rail track grows louder

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 11

Passenger travelling by train between Ludhiana to Ferozepur and Ferozepur to Ludhiana are facing a lot of difficulties as this route has single track. Trains travelling from one side to other have to give way to those coming from the opposite direction at railway stations falling between Ludhiana and Ferozepur.

In fact, rail passengers on this route have been demanding that the Railway authorities should turn this single track into double, but their long-pending has not materialised.

“The track between Ludhiana and Ferozepur is single. There an urgent requirement to turn this line into double track. Trains get delayed as those coming from other direction have to pass from railway stations where multiple tracks are present,” says Vinod Kumar, who commutes between Ludhiana and Moga everyday. “If one travels from Ludhiana to Moga, the train going from Ludhiana side is stopped at one of the stations in between these two main stations to give way for a train coming from other side. It delays trains and passengers face a lot of inconvenience especially in this hot climate,” he added.

“Similarly, trains are halted on stations to let freight trains pass. It wastes a lot of time of commuters,” said another daily passenger Ankush Gupta.

“Sometimes express trains, including Sulej Express, Ferozepur-Chandigharh Express, Jaipur Express and few others are also stopped on small stations despite having no scheduled stoppage,” said passengers.

There is an urgent need to turn Ludhiana-Ferozepur single line into double track because the traffic on this route has increased manifolds during past years.

“If double track is laid, trains will not stop and wait for those coming from other side to cross at small railway stations. It will save a lot of time of passengers,” said Gupta.

Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Ferozepur Division, Vivek Kumar, was not available for comments despite repeated attempts to contact him.