The long-awaited Vande Bharat express train embarked on its inaugural journey from Ferozepur to Delhi on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in Punjab's rail connectivity. Union minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu officially flagged off the train at Ferozepur station, commencing its maiden voyage through multiple cities in the region.
Historic Journey Commences
The high-speed train began its historic run, passing through important stations including Faridkot, Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala and Ambala before reaching its final destination in Delhi. Minister Bittu personally boarded the train at its starting point in Ferozepur and traveled with it until Bathinda railway station, where he addressed media persons and received feedback from passengers.
While speaking to reporters at Bathinda station, Bittu revealed that four Vande Bharat trains were launched on the same day, with the Ferozepur-Delhi route being the first such service originating from Punjab's Malwa region. He emphasized that this new connectivity would substantially reduce travel time between these important destinations, providing faster and more comfortable transportation options for the people of Punjab.
Religious Connectivity and Future Plans
The railway minister shared ambitious plans for enhancing religious tourism connectivity in the region. He disclosed that four of the five takhats (temporal seats of Sikhism) are already connected through the railway network, with only Talwandi Sabo remaining unlinked. Bittu assured that sincere efforts are underway to extend railway tracks to this sacred site, thereby completing the circuit of all five takhats.
In addition to religious connectivity, the minister confirmed that the process of linking the Malwa region with Chandigarh has already been initiated. This development promises to further enhance regional connectivity and provide additional travel options for residents of the area.
Political Concerns and Demands
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer expressed disappointment over the train not having a scheduled stop at Barnala railway station. The AAP leader revealed that he had personally met with Minister Bittu to request a halt at Barnala and had received assurances from the minister.
Meet Hayer issued a stern warning, stating that he would raise the issue in parliament and wait until December 1 for the railway ministry to address the demand. He declared that if the halt is not granted by this deadline, AAP members and Barnala residents would organize protests to demand the train's stoppage at their city.
The launch of the Vande Bharat express represents a significant step in modernizing India's rail infrastructure while addressing regional connectivity needs. However, the ongoing demands for additional stops highlight the challenges in balancing speed with accessibility in high-speed rail services.
