Ferozepur-Amritsar train track could be ready in 2 years provided Punjab Government extends cooperation : GM Railway A.K.Puthia
It will take 5 years to give divisional status to Jammu : GM Northern Railway
Ferozepur-Amritsar train track could be ready in 2 years provided Punjab Government extends cooperation : GM Railway A.K.Puthia
Punjab Govt failed to provide free land and to bear 50 per cent cost of the project
Ferozepur, August 5, 2015: The rail track between Ferozepur- Amritsar could be possible within the coming two years providing the Punjab Government extends full cooperation said A.K.Puthia, General Manager Railway while interacting with the media persons on his visit to Ferozepur today.
The work on Ferozepur-Patti-Amritsar rail track is going on since long but its operational could only be possible with the sincere cooperation of Punjab Government.
It may be added that work on the Ferozepur -Patti costing Rs.147.00 Cr. is in progress against item No;20 of Pink book 2015-16 and Rs. 20.00 Crore has been allotted during the current financial year. The Ferozepur-Patti rail link (say 30 Km from Makhu-Patti) would connect the people of Malwa with Majha and it would also be a boon for the rest of the country as it will shorten the distance between the Northern States including Punjab to the trade capitals of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
As per the information, about 20,000 containers of basmati rice valued at around Rs 6,000 crore are exported from the holy city via Kandla port in Gujarat.
Presently, exporters prefer to ferry the merchandise through trucks as they save about Rs 5000 on a truckload of 24 tonnes of goods in comparison to goods train. The Patti-Ferozepur line would link Amritsar with the country’s financial capital and Gujarat and would prompt the exporters to switch over to freight trains.
During the last meeting with the DRM on April 20, he had disclosed that the Punjab Government has failed to provide land free of cost for the track besides commitment to contribute to 50 per cent matching amount of total project cost.
Addressing the media persons, GM said, the resolution for creation of Jammu Division by bifurcating the Ferozepur Division, already stands approved and it will be completed, in the coming five years.
GM also appealed to the SGPC to adopt the Amritsar and other historical railway stations so that there is no problem in the working of the railway.
Speaking about the security at the railway stations, he said, the RPF and GRP are working jointly in coordination in this regard by keeping a close eye on every activity at the railway stations.
He said, railway is making efforts to increase the boggies on Ferozepur-Fazilka route.
GM however, expressed his satisfaction over the security system in the railway.
