leader of Opposition in lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj flagged off Bhopal-Bina-Bhopal memu train here on Wednesday. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was especially present on the occasion.
Swaraj said that this is a moment of fulfilling promises made with people. She thanked Union Railway Minister Pawan Bansal and former Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee. She said that this fast train will facilitate passengers. Efforts will be made to extend it upto Hoshangabad and Itarsi.
Survey of 4 new rail lines will be conducted including Guna-Aron-Basoda, Sagar-Chhatarpur-Bhopal-Jabalpur, Udaipura-Sagar and Indore-Budhni-Jabalpur. Traction alternator plant will be opened in Vidisha. Bogie repair project has been announced for Misrod. later, she also travelled on board this train after taking ticket.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that priority should be given to the States which are lagging behind in railway facilities. For these State, provision to provide half of the cost of new railway lines should be removed. He said that introduction of this train will provide relief to people. Chouhan said that pending railway projects should be completed at the earliest. The State Government will extend all possible cooperation. A sum of Rs 117 crore has been sanctioned under Mukhyamantri Adhosanrachna Yojana for development of Bhopal city. He appealed to make Bhopal a beautiful and fully equipped city.
Urban Administration & Development Minister Babulal Gaur said that two more similar trains should be introduced. He urged to run Shatabdi Express from Habibganj.
Finance Minister Raghavji said that this memo train was much awaited. Its introduction will facilitate passengers. MlA Arif Aqeel also spoke on the occasion.
DRM Rajiv Choudhary delivered the welcome address. Mayor Krishna Gaur, MlAs Jitendra Daga, Dhruvnarayan Singh and Vishwas Sarang and Municipal Corporation Chairman Kailash Mishra were also present on the occasion.