Lost in olden times, Hussainiwala Rly Stn – comes to life two days in a year – still awaits revival

Hussainiwala, February 5, 2018:  Hussainiwala Railway Station near the Indo-Pak border near in Punjab – which is opened two days in a year on March 23 – the martyrs’ day celebrations of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev and on April 13 – the Baisakhi day festival – the start of harvesting of the wheat crop – is dying its own death. 

Hussainiwala Railway Station once served and known as ‘Gateway to Lahore’ is the end of Northern Railway 11 km from Ferozepur.

On Martyrs’ day, on Ferozepur-Hussasiniwala rail track, a special train – diesel multiple units – DMU – is run to ferry people to the National Martyrs’ Memorial.  The people have to go on foot for about 1 km to reach the Samadhi Sthal.

This rail track was first used between Ferozepur and Kasur – now in Pakistan – on its way to Peshawar in 1885.  The rail track was once a hub of trade and military activities.  Hundreds of people from the adjoining towns – Ferozepur, Kasur and Lahore used to come ashore to work in the mechanical engineering workshop of the drainage department which was situated just across the station.  This track also saw the first run of the Punjab Mail that still links Ferozepur with Mumbai daily.

Most British troops and businessmen would arrive in Mumbai and make their way to their destinations by rail for their convenience to travel to distant places comfortably to Kasur, Lahore, Ferozepur and Peshawar.

The train used to cross over 13 round pillars over the Satluj river which are still intact even today and a double-decker bridge called ‘Empress Bridge’, sources said.  Presently all that remains of this bridge today are the two towers on each side of the Sutlej.

The people of the area had witnessed several pitched battles between India and Pakistan.  But with the passage of time, the historic station has lost its existence, said Resham Singh of Hussaiwala village when this station used to be abuzz in life. He demanded that the railway authorities should redevelop this heritage station.

As per the sources, a grant of Rs.10 crore has been sanctioned for the development of National Martyr’s Memorial with light and sound programme besides making it an attractive spot to be a focus for the visitors when this station will also be refurbished.