Two Sikh Takhts -- Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib and Golden Temple and Akal Takht at Amritsar -- today got direct rail connectivity as the Railways introduced a new express train between Nangal and Amritsar.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal jointly flagged off the inaugural run of the train, which is expected to run regularly from Baisakhi on April 13.
Prabhu also announced to set up a company in collaboration with Punjab government to manage the religious circuit route and run train connecting places of pilgrimage in and outside the state.
Talking to media after flagging off the train connecting Sri Anandpur Sahib, the birth place of Khalsa and Sri Amritsar the place of highest temporal seat of Sikhs, Railway Minister said "train between the two holy cities was a long standing demand of Sikhs."
He also said pending expansion of rail network in Punjab would be taken up on priority.
Prabhu further said tat it was a matter of pride for him to flag off the train at the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji laid the foundation of Khalsa Panth to counter Mughal empire and to serve the nation.
On the demand of Punjab government he also announced to construct six rail over-bridges (ROB) at Ropar, Garshankar, Kurali, Gharota, Bahlu and Morinda besides making Sri Anandpur Sahib a model railway station.
Railway Minister said this year, 3500 unmanned railway level crossings would be covered, besides construction of 900 ROBs across the nation.
The train will start from Nangal Dam, about 19 Kms away from Sri Anandpur Sahib, and run through Morinda junction with stoppages at Kurali, Morinda, Samrala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.
The new express train, between Nangal-Sri Anandpur sahib and Amritsar, will have air-conditioned chair car, three-tier AC and general class accommodation with luggage van coaches.
