Delayed by fog, Akal Takht Express makes its maiden halt at Phagwara

Our Correspondent

Phagwara, January 15

Hundreds of devotees of Sri Patna Sahib and Bihari migrants thronged the Phagwara railway station to welcome the Amritsar-bound train 12317 Up Kolkata-Amritsar Akal Takht Express during its first two-minute halt on Monday evening. The train was two hours behind schedule due to poor visibility caused by dense fog and arrived at 5.08 pm. It departed from Phagwara around 5.16 pm.

Politicians belonging to different factions of the BJP, Akali Dal and AAP were seen on one platform, temporarily leaving aside their differences to welcome the train, facilitating the pilgrims of Gurdwara Patna Sahib.

Union Minister of State Som Parkash, former Union Minister Vijay Sampla, Akali leader Jarnail Singh Wahid and AAP leader Joginder Singh Maan arrived at the Phagwara railway station and delivered speeches from one stage, thanking the Union Government for providing a brief halt of the train at Phagwara.

Interestingly, Union Minister of State Som Parkash flagged off the train today. The BJP workers appeared to be confused on seeing Som Parkash and Vijay Sampla on one platform, but some of them were happy to see them together.

Though AAP leader Joginder Singh Maan arrived to welcome the train, the other faction of AAP led by Santosh Kumar Gogi and Improvement Trust chairman Kashmir Singh Malhi could not be seen anywhere. Moreover, no Congress leader was seen at the railway station today.

It may be mentioned that keeping in view the demands of the pilgrims of Gurdwara Shri Patna Sahib, the Railway Board has sanctioned the stoppage of 12317/12318 Amritsar-Kolkata Akal Takht Express at Phagwara railway station from January 15.

As per schedule, the train will start from Amritsar and reach Phagwara at 7:26 am and will depart at 7:27 am. Similarly, from Kolkata towards Amritsar, it will reach Phagwara at 3:07 pm and depart at 3:08 pm.

ADRM Balbir Kumarand other officials were also present.

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