If all goes well, the much- awaited electric train to run between Haridwar and Dehradun would start by the end of this year.
The electrification of railway line is almost done and the report has been sent to the Commissioner of Safety for review, said the General Manager of the Northern Railway, AK Puthiya, who came to Haridwar on Friday for inspection. He along with DRM Pramod Kumar and other railway officials reviewed the works undertaken by the authorities and asked them to hasten the incomplete works.
The GM Puthiya said only the safety review report is awaited and as soon as the consent is received from the concerned department, after the trial run, the train would be made available for the people of the two cities. He said, “Till now trains with 12 to 14 bogies have run, but now longer trains with 18 coaches would run on this route.” Up to Rishikesh, 18 coach trains would run from now onwards added Puthiya.
In a step towards modernization, the foot overbridge made during Ardh Kumbh mela would soon have four lifts and three-pier escalator.
The GM said that efforts were on to start a train connecting Rishikesh with Karnprayag for which 57 hectares of land had already been given by the forest department and private lands of 169 hectares had been acquired.
“A PSU is taking care of this project through dialogue between forest and state government-empowered committee. In the first phase, the line would be drawn till New Rishikesh where a terminal would be developed. Rest of the works would be undertaken after getting consent from the forest department. lot of clearances from forest department is involved and tunnel work would take longer time. The work would start within two months,” said GM.
On the issue of doubling of the railway line between Haridwar and luxor, GM said the work would be completed next year. He also inspected Jwalapur railway station and gave his suggestions for its improvement.
Inspecting the platform area, the GM seemed to be satisfied but he suggested improvements outside the platform area. When asked by one of the media persons about the repair or replacement of the historical clock hung on the main tower building of the railway station, the GM said that a similar clock was not available in today’s times. “If you know someone who can repair or get a similar one, inform us,” he said.
Regarding security, he said that the conditions were far better than many other railway stations of the country. Not a single incident was reported in the recent past, said Puthiya.
On Platform 1 of Haridwar railway station, new shade ceiling had been constructed reducing the natural light. The GM suggested that transparent roof sheets should be used to ensure that there is enough light during the day time.
On encroachment of the railway land, he said that from time to time anti-encroachment drive was undertaken after giving legal notices. “This problem prevails all over the country. The state government is supporting us. From time to time, we do remove people who have encroached. It is a continuous process,” he said.