Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways Sh. K.H.Muniyappa inaugurated the newly constructed broad-gauge rail line between Abohar and Fazilka covering 42.89 KM and flagged off the 54559 Passenger Train at a simple ceremony from Abohar railway station to Fazilka today. Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha Sh. Sher Singh Gubaya, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly & Leader of Opposition Govt of Punjab Sh Sunil Jakhar, Hon’ble Minister of Forests & Wild Life and Minister of Labour, Govt. of Punjab, Sh. Surjit Jiyani, Hon’ble Members of Legislative Assembly Sh. Gurjeet Singh Guriana, Sh. Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi were the dignitaries present on the occasion. Senior Railway Officers present on the occasion include General Manager, Northern Railway, Sh. V.K.Gupta, Chief Administrative Officer, Construction, Northern Railway, Sh. Dharam Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala, Northern Railway Sh. P.K.Sanghi.
Speaking on the occasion Sh. K.H.Muniyappa stated that the laying of the rail line not only spells direct connectivity for travelers between these two towns but also provides a better logistics option and thereby increased economic progress. Responding to the demands of the local public, Sh. Muniyappa assured that the Railway Ministry would study the same. While briefing media representatives at a Press Conference the Minister apprised them of the developmental works being done by Railways in the State. He also assured that steps will be taken to implement those development projects planned on cost-sharing basis expeditiously.
Sanctioned in the year 1997-98 at an anticipated cost of Rs.225.9 crore, the Abohar-Fazilka rail line will have 5 new railway stations in the districts of Firozpur & Fazilka. The rail line also includes 106 bridges-4 major and 102 minor bridges & 27 level-crossings. The inauguration of a new rail line marks a significant step in direct connectivity between Abohar and Fazilka towns situated on the Indo-Pak border as the present rail connectivity is through the circuitous rail link via Bathinda involving 250 route kilometers. The new rail line thus reduces total travelling distance to 93 Km thus saving 157 Km through the circuitous route. This direct rail line would also serve as distance saving and economical transport medium for the outward flow of rice and cotton from these parts to the rest of the country and for inward goods viz. fertilizers, cement and petro products from Western India to this part of Punjab.
Commencing regular operations from 17.07.2012, the 54559/54560 Bathinda- Fazilka- Bathinda Passenger Train will run as per the following schedule:
The 54559 Bathinda-Abohar passenger train, which is being extended upto Fazilka, will depart from Abohar Station at 11.05 a.m. to reach Fazilka at 12.25 noon. In the return direction the 54560 Passenger train which will now originate from Fazilka at 12.45 noon to reach Abohar 02.05 p.m. and continue its onward journey to reach Bathinda at 04.10 p.m. The 54559/54560 will stop at all stations enroute in both direction
