Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has requested Union Railway minister Suresh Prabhu to start a modern rail-bus service between the religious towns of Mathura and Vrindavan to ease traffic between them and also to provide world class tourism facilities to the tourists.
Besides, the CM also requested Railway minister to use the land adjoining the Mathura railway station to construct a station of international standard keeping in mind its religious importance.
"It would be better for the Railway ministry to start the facility on a priority by using modern coaches and engines and end the woes of the tourists, pilgrims and local commuters," Yadav said in his letter to Suresh Prabhu, the content of which were released on Wednesday.
Yadav said that presently the rail-bus between Mathura and Vrindavan has been suspended due to the defective track and engine. "This handicap has been adversely affecting tourism and public services in the region," he said.
The CM said that a large number of domestic and international tourists come to Mathura-Vrindavan throughout the year. "They visit Sri Krishna Birth place, Dwarakadhish temple, Banke Bihari temple and other historical places. In the past, the rail-bus service used to connect these places and also greatly help in easing the road traffic. But with suspension of the travel facility, local commuters and tourists have been severely affected," he said.
Yadav added that Mathura-Vrindavan are also heritage cities and the rail-bus would certainly help in improving the transport system there and hence the local residents have been demanding this for a long time.
The Chief Minister hoped that the Railway ministry would take a prompt decision with regards to restarting the service.000