The denizens of the city erupted in jubilation when it was declared that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been selected for India’s highest civilian award —‘Bharat Ratna’. Vajpayee was born in Gwalior and started his political career here . Many fans and enthusiasts of the former Prime Minister distributed sweets.
The occasion was also celebrated by BJP workers at the party office. They used firecrackers and distributed sweets expressing their happiness over the decision. District BJP president Abhay Choudhary said Vajpayee was an original resident of Gwalior and Gwalior was known with his name. The whole Gwalior region is honoured with the announcement of giving Bharat Ratna to Vajpayee.
The Morena MP and nephew of Vajpayee, Anoop Mishra said Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserved congratulations for giving Bharat Ratna to first PM of NDA Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This was a good decision of the Central Government though taken after a long time. “Atal ji is the pride of the country. He should have been given this honour earlier,” he added.
On this occasion, a new train Swaraj Express would be started by the Railway Board. It would be a weekly train, which would run from Gwalior to Gonda via Delhi. The Swaraj Express would reach lucknow by covering 550 km in 17 hours. On the Bhind-Itawah rail line, a month would be taken after the report of CRS. The train would be started after taking the trial by goods train.The local people would get much relief from Swaraj Express. It is being started on the birthday of Vajpayee, on December 25.
The train would be flagged off by Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday. The railway management has made all the preparations in this regard. The train would be weekly and would run from Gwalior to Gonda via H Nijamuddin and lucknow. The train would leave Gwalior every Wednesday at 1.10 pm and reach Gonda at 7.30 am the next day. From Gonda the train would leave for Gwalior at 7.30 am on Thursday. It would reach Gwalior at 5.15 am on Friday.