Union Minister for Railway Suresh Prabhu and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday flagged off a express train to connect two Takhats of Sikh Panth, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar.
Shri Anandpur Sahib, March 23, 2015: Punjab today witnessed a historic day as Union Minister for Railway Suresh Prabhu and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal flagged off a express train to connect two Takhats of Sikh Panth, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar. The train will run on a daily basis from Vaisakhi between Nangal-Sri Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar via Samrala-Ludhiana and Jalandhar.
Today in a function at the Sri Anandpur Sahib railway station alongwith the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Union Minister said that “it is a matter of pride for me to flag of the train at the place where guru Gobind Singh Ji laid the foundation of khasla panth to counter the cruel Mughal empire and to serve the nation. He said the new train would connect two Takhats of Sikh Panth, which was a long pending demand of Punjab.
On the demand of Punjab Government he also announced to construct 6 ROBs at Ropar, Garshankar, Kurali, Gharota, Bahlu and Morinda besides making Sri Anandpur Sahib a model railway station. He also sought cooperation from the Punjab Government for the cleanness campaign of railways, besides calling upon religious leaders like Giani Mall Singh , Jathedar of Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, to take it as a “Kar Sewa”.
Congratulating the Punjabis ,the deputy chief minister announced that the State would develop Sri Anandpur Sahib as a tourist hub as after Virasat-E-Khalsa this train would give a big boost to the tourism sector in the state besides facilitating devotees. He said Punjab had already initiated the dialogue with international companies to provide laser show services here.
He said it was only the SAD-BJP government under the leadership of chief minister Prakash singh Badal which had initiated projects like Virasat -E-Khalsa in 1997 to showcase the rich legacy and culture of Sikhism and Punjab to next generation.
The Deputy Chief Minister also announced that a world class sports stadium would be constructed at Sri Anandpur Sahib where traditional Sikh art games and other sports would be held.
Later on talking to media persons the Railway Minister said that in this year new 3500 unmanned railway crossings would be covered besides constructing 900 ROBs across the nation. He also announced to set up a separate company for better coordination between Punjab Government and Union Ministry to implement the railway projects in Punjab.
The newly flagged off new express train between Nangal-Sri Anandpur sahib and Amritsar have air conditioned chair car , three tier AC and general class accommodation with luggage van coaches . The train would have a stoppage at Kurali , Samrala , Ludhiana and Jalandhar City .
Earlier railway minister Mr Suresh Prabhu and Deputy chief Minister paid obeisance at Takhat Sri kesgarh sahib where Jathedar Giani Mal singh presented "siropa" to them.
Jathedar Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Mall Singh, MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and Industry Minister Madan Mohal Mittal also addressed the gathering .
Prominent amongst present on the occasion included Education minister Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema and Rural Development Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka.