Azadi Express may be made permanent exhibition on wheels

Chennai, Jan 17 (UNI) Indian Railways will consider making Azadi Express train a permanent exhibition on wheels to commemorate 150 years of the first war of Independence, Minister of state for Railways R Velu announced today.

Inaugurating the exhibition at the Chennai Central railway station here, he said the venue for the ''exhibition train'' would be identified soon though the railway musuem in Delhi would be the right choice.

He said the train started its journey from New Delhi on September 28, 2007 and after traversing various parts of the country, it reached Chennai today. The train would be in Chennai till January 20.

During its nine month journey from September last year to May this year, the train would visit 21 States and the exhibition would showcase rare pictures and details of pre and post era of Independence starting from 1857 revolt.

The train's last leg trip would be from Meerut to Delhi on May 11, 2008.

He said the exhibition was targeted at youngsters to highlight the sacrifices made by Indians for attaining Independence.

Chennai Mayor M Subramanian, who was present, said the the Corporation would take steps to ensure that students visit the exhibition in large numbers.

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