Tewari pushes for more trains from Chandigarh, Mohali; Centre cites capacity limits

Chandigarh Congress MP Manish Tewari has renewed his demand for enhanced rail connectivity from Chandigarh and Mohali, seeking more trains, increased frequency and additional stoppages to ease mounting passenger rush in the region.

Raising an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Tewari asked the Union Railways Minister whether the government was cognisant of repeated representations seeking superfast train stoppages at Chandigarh and Mohali on key routes, including Katra and Amritsar, and improved connectivity with Rajasthan. He also sought clarity on proposals for Vande Bharat, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, Sampark Kranti and other premium services to halt at the Tricity stations, given the heavy dependence of students, professionals, lawyers and pilgrims on these routes.

In a detailed written reply, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at present, Chandigarh and Mohali were connected to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (Katra) by two pairs of trains each and to Amritsar by eight pairs of trains each. He listed the existing services on both sectors, adding that all trains serving Chandigarh already have scheduled stoppages there.

On the Rajasthan connectivity, the minister said Chandigarh was directly linked to Ringas (for Khatushyam Ji), Ajmer, Jaipur and Kota through multiple pairs of train. He pointed out that the Indian Railways had also introduced the Udaipur City–Chandigarh Express from September 27, 2025, catering to passengers travelling via Jaipur, Ajmer and Bhilwara.

Addressing the demand for making the biweekly Bandra (T)-Chandigarh Express a daily service, Vaishnaw said Chandigarh was already connected to Mumbai by four pairs, including a daily service. Any increase in frequency or introduction of new trains, he added, depended on factors such as line capacity, availability of paths, rolling stock, matching infrastructure and maintenance requirements.

However, Tewari said the government’s response failed to address the ground reality faced by passengers. “Though the government has given a detailed reply, substantially their disposition is not oriented towards the progress and development of Chandigarh,” he told The Tribune.

The MP pointed out that Chandigarh railway station catered not only to the city but also to large parts of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, yet several important destinations still lack direct connectivity. With passenger numbers rising sharply, he said, long waiting lists have become routine and many travellers are unable to get confirmed tickets due to limited trains.

“I personally met the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefly before the commencement of the Lok Sabha proceedings and requested him to examine the cost and time overruns with regard to the redevelopment of Chandigarh Railway Station and to increase the frequency, stoppages and add new trains from Chandigarh,” Tewari said.

The renewed push for better rail services comes even as the Rs 462-crore redevelopment of Chandigarh Railway Station — aimed at turning it into a world-class multimodal hub — is yet to be completed. While the Railways has stated that the project has reached over 90 per cent physical progress, delays have drawn criticism amid growing passenger footfall and operational strain.

With the Tricity emerging as a major education, healthcare, administrative and pilgrimage gateway for the region, Tewari said strengthening rail connectivity must go hand in hand with station redevelopment to deliver real relief to passengers.