PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Tanakpur
Despite the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s initiative and subsequent announcement by the Railway Ministry, the direct rail service from Tanakpur to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded Sahib), the holy shrine of the Sikhs, remains elusive. Notably, the CM had met the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw and requested his initiative in the operation of the Tanakpur-Nanded weekly express train. Following the approval of the Railway Ministry, coaches began operating on January 14. Furthermore, a new rake, equipped with 22 coaches, has also arrived at Shahi railway station in Pilibhit district.
But surprisingly, despite more than three months having passed since the announcement, this train has not yet begun operating. The railway department seems to be sleeping on it, say the locals.
When queried, the senior divisional commercial manager of North Eastern Railway, Izzat Nagar Division, Sanjeev Sharma said that there is a proposal to run a weekly express train from Tanakpur to Nanded, for which the date is being awaited from the Railway Board. “As soon as the dates are announced, the train’s operation will start,” he added.
However, the delay keeps frustrating people, especially the Sikh pilgrims, who have long awaited the direct train travel facility from Tanakpur to Nanded. “This train could play a vital role in strengthening religious and social ties between Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra,” said a local.
They are questioning the logic behind this delay while the train’s rake is ready.
