UT-Ludhiana rail link to open from today

Meanwhile,the train will start from Amritsar at 5.20 am,reach Ludhiana at 7.15 am and arrive in Chandigarh at 9.05 am.

The train journey will also be quicker by 40 minutes.

Proposed in 1997-98,the construction of the 112 kilometres Chandigarh-Ludhiana link was completed in three phases. The first phase-I,from Chandigarh to Morinda stations,opened in September 2006. Phase-II from Sahnewal to Ludhiana was opened for traffic in November 2012.

However,the stretch between New Morinda and Sahnewal faced several road blocks due to which trains plyed through Morinda-Sirhind,adding 40 minutes to the journey time.

The project was expedited once local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal took over as the Railways Minister,who had assured that the track would be opened around March 31.

Trials on the track started in February. The last hurdle was clearance by the Commission for Railway Safety,who conducted inspection from April 13 to 15.

Wait of 15 years ends

1997-98 – Proposal for construction of track mooted

September 2006 – First phase between Chandigarh and Morinda becomes operational

November 2012 – Second phase between Sahnewal and Ludhiana opens

January 2013 – First engine trial on New Morinda-Madpur stations

February 2013 – Trial run on whole track completed

February 28,2013 – Goods train plied from Chandigarh to Ludhiana

April 13-15,2013 – Inspection by Commission for Railway Safety

Train timings

Chandigarh to Amritsar (12241)

Departure from Chandigarh – 5.30 pm

Arrival at Mohali – 5.42 pm

Arrival at Ludhiana – 7.05 pm

Arrival at Jalandhar – 8.06 pm

Arrival at Beas – 8.39 pm

Arrival at Amritsar – 9.10 pm

Amritsar to

Chandigarh (12242)

Departure from Amritsar – 5.20 am

Arrival at Beas – 5.50 am

Arrival at Jalandhar – 6.22 am

Arrival at Ludhiana – 7.15 am

Arrival at Mohali – 8.34 am

Arrival at Chandigarh – 9.05 am

New trains expected

Another train between Chandigarh and Amritsar, with morning departure from Chandigarh,is likely to start shortly. A train between Kalka and Katra,announced in this year’s Railway Budget,will also ply this track.