A high-level BJP delegation, led by Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Dr. Jitendra Singh, today met Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw in the national capital to raise critical issues regarding the infrastructure of railway stations in the Jammu region.
The delegation, which included Member of Lok Sabha Jugal Kishore Sharma and MLA Samba Surjeet Singh Slathia, urged the Union Railway Minister to reinstate the haltage of trains at Samba, Ghagwal, Hiranagar, and Manwal railway stations, emphasizing the strategic importance of these stations.
A Plea for Convenience and Safety
In a memorandum presented to the Minister, MLA Surjeet Singh Slathia pointed out the long-standing issue of halted trains. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, trains used to regularly halt at Samba and Ghagwal stations to accommodate the growing number of passengers. However, this service was discontinued for reasons yet to be explained, leaving passengers from these regions, including the key industrial hub of Jammu and Kashmir, suffering considerable inconvenience.
“The strategic importance of these stations, especially in the context of the region’s economic development, cannot be overstated. We urge the Railway Ministry to consider these demands as a priority for the welfare of our people,” said Slathia.
Platform Expansion and Flyover Completion
Further highlighting the challenges faced by local commuters, Slathia also called for an urgent expansion of the platform at Samba Railway Station. Given the rising number of passengers, the MLA stressed that upgrading facilities at the station is crucial, especially as the Railways have undertaken a massive national upgradation initiative.
The delegation also discussed the much-awaited completion of the Gurah Slathia flyover project. The flyover, which has been under construction for some time, remains a key infrastructure bottleneck for local residents, and Slathia expressed hopes that the remaining works would be expedited for the benefit of the people.
Union Minister’s Response
Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw responded positively to the issues raised by the BJP delegation. He assured the team that the matters concerning the haltage of trains, platform expansion, and the Gurah Slathia flyover will be thoroughly examined and immediate measures will be taken to address them.
The BJP delegation thanked the Union Minister for his time and consideration, expressing optimism that the concerns of the people in Jammu and Kashmir would be prioritized.
