Western Railway plans Ahmedabad division

AHMEDABAD, Sept 28: The Western Railway (WR) is considering setting up the Ahmedabad division in the surplus land available with the rail...

AHMEDABAD, Sept 28: The Western Railway (WR) is considering setting up the Ahmedabad division in the surplus land available with the railways in Sabarmati provided road connection is ensured from the area to the highway. This was stated by V D Gupta, General Manager, Western Railway, while discussing railway problems of Gujarat with the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) here on Saturday.

A GCCI release stated that Chamber President Utkarsh B Shah assured Gupta of assisting the railway in pursuing the matter with the State government. Gupta agreed that the timings of Rajdhani Express between Ahmedabad and Delhi should be changed to enable people to complete the day’s work at Delhi and return in the evening. He said the matter is under serious consideration.

Gupta said to help import of coal and other materials for industries of Gujarat and surrounding regions, the railway is ready to invest in development of infrastructure facilities at ports provided financial viability is establishedthrough long-term commitment for traffic by the industries.

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Regarding the proposed establishment of third rail track between Ahmedabad and Mumbai to cope up with rising traffic, Gupta clarified that the estimated expenditure of the project is 1,600 crore rupees and it will be taken up on availability of funds.

The GM also said the feasibility of establishing coastal broad gauge link in Saurashtra connecting all ports can be considered on the basis of financial viability. To arrest increasing thefts from First Class AC compartment of Gujarat Mail, Gupta said FIR will now be registered in the train itself. Besides, the Railway Protection Force will also be sounded in such matter, he added.

He said the proposal for running a direct train between Ahmedabad and Hardwar and attaching few coaches in Delhi-bound trains has been submitted to the Railway Board. Similarly, the proposal for a direct train from Howrah via Patna, Allahabad and Jabalpur to Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Gandhidham has also been submitted tothe board for consideration, he added.

Gupta stated that provision of advance reservation between Ahmedabad and Jaipur will be considered by clubbing Jaipur and Ajmer. He noted that for want of rail capacity, the frequency of Ahmedabad-Pune train cannot be increased.

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