CHANDIGARH: Punjab NRI Minister S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today called upon Union Minister of State for Railways Mr. Ravneet Singh Bittu to raised the issue of lack of rail connectivity in the Ajnala-Ballaharwal border area. He urged to consider integrating this region with the broader Indian railway network for the greater public benefit.
S. Dhaliwal also advocated for renaming the Ramdas/RDS railway station after Baba Budha Sahib Ji, the first revered Head Priest of Golden Temple, Amritsar. He urged the Union Minister to reconstruct elevated permanent platform at the Ramdas/RDS railway station in Amritsar district, with essential amenities such as potable water, passenger shelters, lights and fans etc.
The NRIs Minister also sought an increase in train frequency at this station from 4 pairs to at least 6 pairs to address the unmet public demand of Amritsar district, besides extending trains currently terminating at Verka to Amritsar or beyond.
In his demand letter to the Union Minister, S. Dhaliwal stressed that the Ramdas/RDS railway station predates the partition of India and Pakistan. And, this station currently lacks a platform and has only a single rail connectivity towards this town as well as Kartarpur Sahib Corridor i.e. Dera Baba Nanak from Amritsar and this railway station.
Regarding Ajnala connectivity, S. Dhaliwal said that this border area is underdeveloped due to its isolated location and poor road infrastructure. He stressed that local residents rely heavily on Amritsar city for daily necessities and official matters, facing significant hardships due to limited transportation options.
The NRIs Minister said that train service is available between Amritsar to Dera Baba Nanak. Thus, for facilitating the public of Ajnala area, the train service should be extended via Balharwal (the then major trading hub connected by rail before the Indo-Pak partition) to benefit the Ajnala area residents.
Highlighting Amritsar's significance as a major urban center catering to medical, employment and educational needs, S. Dhaliwal asserted that enhanced rail connectivity would serve a broad spectrum of the population, including patients, industrial workers, students and the general public.
"The proposed rail link will not only benefit local residents but also boost religious tourism, " said S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, noting area's religious importance, citing the Joti-Jot place of Baba Budha Sahib Ji and the historical Gurdwara Baba Gamchuk Ji in Balharwal. He said that pilgrims from across the country regularly visit this region in conjunction with paying homage at Sachkhand Sri Harimandir Sahib.
During the meeting, Union Minister of State for Railways Mr. Ravneet Singh Bittu assured that the Ramdas Railway Station would be given a facelift within 6 months. He said that the station would be renamed after Baba Buddha Sahib Ji. The Union Minister also accorded principle approval to the demand for connecting the Ajnala-Balharwal border area via Sri Amritsar Sahib rail route. He assured that this matter would be considered promptly.