PUNJAB CM SPEAKS WITH UNION RAILWAY MINISTER ON PRAKASH PURB EXPRESS TRAIN TO AMRITSAR FROM NEW DELHI TO FACILITATE PILGRIMS

ALSO PRESSES FOR TRI-WEEKLY SERVICE FROM NATIONAL CAPITAL TO SULTANPUR LODHI & UPGRADATION OF HISTORIC TOWN’S STATION FOR 550TH PRAKASH PURAB

Chandigarh, January 22, 2019: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday spoke with Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to pursue the state’s demand for a regular Express Train service, named Prakash Purb Express, from New Delhi to Amritsar via Sultanpur Lodhi, to facilitate pilgrims to pay obeisance during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.

The Chief Minister also pressed for special train services for Sultanpur Lodhi from New Delhi during the period from 1st October to 30th November 2019, to ensure proper connectivity and ease of travel to the pilgrims. He also sought upgradation of the existing Railway Station at Sultanpur Lodhi to a world-class railway stations, in view of the importance of the town to the historic celebrations.

Pointing out that the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Devji was being observed in November, 2019, the Chief Minister referred to the letter he had written to the minister earlier this month, and said the State Government had already launched year-long celebrations on November 23, 2018, at Sultanpur Lodhi. The city has immense historical and religious importance, he noted, adding that it was in the holy bein, that passes through the city, that Guru Nanak Devji attained enlightenment.

Sultanpur Lodhi was expected to be the first halt for pilgrims from across the world to pay homage to the Great Guru, said Captain Amarinder Singh. Elaborate arrangements were being put in place for boarding and lodging of the devotees who would throng the city, he said, adding that the city was fortunately well connected through road and rail network. However, regulated transportation of commuters was required as huge crowds were expected to descend in the month of November, 2019, he added.

Citing the importance of the event, the Chief Minister pointed out that the Punjab government had formed a State Committee to map out and implement various programmes and projects to commemorate the historic occasion. The Government of India had also constituted a National Committee to commemorate the event, he noted, urging the minister to issue the necessary instructions to ensure that the services and facilities sought by the state are provided at the earliest.