Railways to mark Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom day with special trains, Punjabi signages

The Railways will mark the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur with a series of initiatives aimed at honouring the ninth Sikh Guru’s legacy and spreading awareness among the younger generation.

During a high-level meeting at Rail Bhawan on Friday, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu said the commemoration would be organised under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in close coordination with Sikh institutions across the country.

“This is the first time such a dedicated meeting has been held at Rail Bhawan to listen to suggestions from Sikh organisations. Indian Railways welcomes these contributions and will take them forward with full respect to Guru Teg Bahadur’s legacy,” said Bittu.

Several proposals were discussed, including the display of Guru Teg Bahadur’s salokas (verses) at railway stations and inside trains, running of special commemorative trains and installing Punjabi signboards at key stations in Haryana, Patna and Hazur Sahib. Enhancing cleanliness on trains like Sachkhand Express, serving langar on board and improving facilities on pilgrimage trains were also part of the discussions.

Suggestions to rename Delhi Railway Station after Guru Teg Bahadur, launch a special “Five Takhts” train, and strengthen connectivity to Takht Sri Patna Sahib and Hazur Sahib through modern trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Express were placed before the Railway Board.

Proposals also included adding new stoppages at Karnal and Kurukshetra and upgrading infrastructure at Patna Sahib Station with lifts and escalators.

Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar assured Sikh leaders that the suggestions would be given due consideration.